Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Team Malaysia delivered an outstanding performance at the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025 in Sri Lanka, securing two podium finishes and strong showings across both esports categories in the E-Sports Cup.
Naquib Azlan, 24, successfully defended his Gold medal in the Assetto Corsa category, reaffirming his status as one of the region’s top sim racers. This marks his second consecutive championship title following his win on home soil in 2023.
His younger brother, Nabil Azlan, 23, claimed the Silver medal in the highly competitive iRacing category, building on his growing international reputation. Nabil previously reached the world semifinals of the FIA Motorsport Games and was named E-Motorsports Competitor of the Year by the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM).
In the same category, Taj Izrin Aiman, 26, won the semifinals and advanced to the finals, where he finished 5th, showcasing consistency and composure in a field filled with elite-level competition. Representing Malaysia in the Assetto Corsa category, Leona Chin, 39 – widely known as the nation’s “Drift Queen” – made a strong impact by reaching the semifinals. Leona’s performance highlights the increasing presence and success of women in competitive sim racing.
The Malaysian squad was led by Team Manager and Coach Alex Yoong, Malaysia’s first Formula One driver and a longtime mentor to young motorsport talent.
“We’re proud of the results and the commitment shown by each of our athletes,” said Yoong. “Bringing home Gold and Silver is a reflection of their hard work, and the growth of sim racing in Malaysia. We’ll continue building on this momentum.”
The participation of the Malaysia esports team was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Esports Integrated under the Malaysia Esports Accelerator Program (MEAP) as well as the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) and Axle Sports.
Malaysia also secured medals in other motorsport categories at the APAC championship. Our karting and autocross talent shone bright with rising star Zarief Rayqal clinching a hard-fought Bronze in the Senior Karting Sprint. In a heartwarming display of family excellence, Sophia Zara powered her way to a Silver in Junior Karting Slalom, while her father, Shafiq Samsudin, conquered the challenging Auto-Cross course to secure a Bronze.
Held from 26 to 28 September 2025 in Sri Lanka, the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship brought together over 200 drivers from 25 countries across various disciplines, including karting, autocross, gymkhana, and esports. The event emphasizes youth development, inclusivity, and accessibility, positioning itself as a vital platform for nurturing the next generation of motorsport talent in the region.