Petronas MIE Racing Honda Wraps Phillip Island Test 

Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team, with 2 national rookies set to debut in the world-class 2025 WorldSBK Opener.

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The Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team wrapped up its final pre-season test at the iconic Phillip Island Circuit in Australia, setting the stage for the opening round of the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) this weekend.

With a mix of valuable track time, technical adjustments, and a few challenges along the way, the team is set to kick off the new season with confidence.

Mackenzie Builds Momentum Despite Late Crash

British rider Tarran Mackenzie, who brings prior experience in both the Phillip Island circuit and the Honda CBR1000RR-R, made the most of the dry and sunny conditions on Monday, completing 44 laps. Working closely with his technicians, Mackenzie fine-tuned his bike’s setup, steadily improving his lap times throughout the day.

Tuesday’s session saw the 2022 British Superbike Champion complete an additional 15 laps before an unfortunate crash at Turn 6 brought his day to an early halt. While Mackenzie emerged unscathed, the bike sustained damage, prompting his crew to work tirelessly on repairs. With rain disrupting the final afternoon session, Mackenzie and much of the WorldSBK field opted to remain in the garage, but the team left the test with a clear direction for the race weekend.

Reflecting on the test, Mackenzie said: “This morning’s session was very useful. We figured out a few things between Monday and Tuesday and have a better understanding of where we need to improve. The crash was unfortunate, and the rain didn’t help, but we’ve made progress. Yesterday’s track time was valuable, and now we’re focused on starting the 2025 season strong.”

Rookie Zaidi Faces Steep Learning Curve

For Malaysian rider Zaqhwan Zaidi, the test marked his first outing on the WorldSBK stage. Tasked with adapting to both a new circuit and the Honda CBR1000RR-R, Zaidi faced a challenging introduction. Wet conditions on Tuesday limited his track time, but the 28-year-old remains optimistic ahead of his official WorldSBK debut.

“It wasn’t my day today,” Zaidi admitted. “The rain started just as I was about to head out, so I only managed one lap. Phillip Island is a unique track, and I need more time to understand it. My goal this weekend is to learn as much as possible, adapt to the bike, and gain experience from the other riders. I’m excited to get started on Friday.”

WorldSSP Riders Show Promise

In the World Supersport (WorldSSP) category, Japanese rider Kaito Toba made significant strides during the test. After refamiliarizing himself with the Phillip Island circuit, Toba focused on refining the setup of his Honda CBR600RR. Despite a crash caused by oil on the track, Toba completed 103 laps over the two days, showing consistent progress and running close to the top ten.

“I’m happy with how this test has gone,” Toba said. “We’ve made good progress compared to last year, and I feel like I’ve been quite consistent. There’s still room for improvement, but this is a solid start. I’m looking forward to Friday’s practice and the races.”

On the other side of the garage, Malaysian rookie Syarifuddin Azman used the test to acclimatize to the CBR600RR and his new team. Despite his limited experience with Supersport machinery, Azman completed 61 laps over the two days, gaining valuable insights ahead of his WorldSSP debut.

“I’m enjoying riding the bike, but I still need to understand how to ride it effectively at this track,” Azman said. “My crew chief and technicians have been a huge help, and we’ll analyze the data to prepare for Friday. It’s a big challenge, but I’m ready for it.”

Race Weekend Ahead

With the pre-season test complete, the Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team now turns its attention to the opening round of the 2025 WorldSBK season. The race weekend will follow the standard schedule, with Friday’s practice sessions leading into Superpole qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday. The Superpole Race and Race 2 will close out the event on Sunday.

Notably, Race 1 and Race 2 will adhere to the flag-to-flag format, with a maximum limit of 11 laps for the rear tyre in the SBK category, ensuring strategic tyre management will play a crucial role in the outcome.

As the team prepares to take on the challenges of Phillip Island, the combination of Mackenzie’s experience, Zaidi’s determination, and the progress shown by Toba and Azman in WorldSSP bodes well for a strong start to the 2025 season. Fans can expect an action-packed weekend as the PetronasMIE Racing Honda Team aims to make its mark on the world stage.

Stay tuned for more updates as the lights go out on the new season!