Hayden enjoying final Honda races

The American missed the races at Brno and Misano with an ankle injury, but has finished on the podium at Indianapolis and Phillip Island since his comeback and is encouraged by his and the team's strong form.

"It's been quite fun the last few weeks," he said. "They might not have been great results, but it has been fun to be competitive and score a couple of podiums.

"At least I'm waking up in the morning with a legitimate chance to do something. You get a lot of support and it makes you feel pretty good."

Hayden is eager to score his first podium at Sepang this weekend, having finished in fourth place four times in his five visits to the track in MotoGP.

"I'll try to have a good weekend, but they don't just give these podiums away because you deserve one," he added. "You've certainly got to earn them so we'll see how it goes.

"It's a track everyone knows and I like it pretty good. It's got a little bit of everything and it's quite challenging. To be quick in the afternoons here when it's hot and greasy can be really tough, and tyre choice is really important because of the temperatures."