After epic start in Portimao, Yevan eyes on Spa-Belgium
After making a spectacular start to his Euroformula Open 2025 campaign at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal four weeks ago, Sri Lankan driver Yevan Ranasinghe David will surely carry forward his fiery form at the famous Spa-Francorchamps in the Round 2 this weekend.
Already leading the Driver’s Championship with 65 points, after his epic run with a second place debut, and two wins that followed Yevan has made his intentions clear of becoming Sri Lanka’s first entry to Formula 1. That was clear when Yevan, the 17-year-old Sri Lankan driver, made a spectacular start to his Euroformula Open campaign with a Top 6 finish and consistent race pace across the season-opening weekend at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal.
Motopark driver Yevan departed Portimao with a 10-point lead in the Driver’s Championship, with 65 points to his nearest rival’s 55 having finished third in the first race of last weekend of April, and then taking a double victory across Sunday’s two races. Airline carriers rejoiced at the sight of Yevan leaving the Portuguese circuit, complete with six trophies having also taken the Rookie win in all three races too.
Contesting his first full season in the ultra-competitive single-seater championship, Yevan demonstrated racecraft, maturity and determination across the triple-header, where all drivers dice in identical Dallara 324 chassis powered by Tom’s engines.
“A double win then and podium. I couldn’t be happier,” said Yevan, who was constantly called as the Sri Lankan Lion by the commentators.
“We actually had a tricky start, but we dug deep and the team didn’t leave any stone unturned. We worked hard, and we came back with a podium finish. Then it was a double win. All this was through hard work, so I must thank immensely to the team, to Sri Lanka and to everyone who has supported me so far.”
April 26th qualifying session had seen Yevan take second in pole on the grid for the first race with a minor technical issue denying him the pole position that his practice pace had promised. The first race was an eventful affair with Yevan dicing for the lead, before trying his hand off road with even a little airtime across the first corners, before a strong fight back to take the third step of the podium at the chequered flag.
“It was a good race,” said Yevan.
“I messed up a bit at the start, but after that I was consistent. We didn’t quite have the pace to fight for the pole position, but I made up some really good positions.”
Morning’s Race 2 on April 27 saw Yevan start from fourth on the grid, which he quickly translated in second place in over the initial laps before setting about the task to take the lead. With five laps done, the pole position was in the bag and from then on there was no doubt of glory.
“I took the lead and led to the end, it was a great feeling,” said Yevan of his first win of 2025. “I’ve got to give this one to the team. They really worked on the car after Saturday’s race and we really found something for Sunday and put it all together.”
The third race saw Yevan line-up fifth on the grid with a great start to move to third and then second. The lead, once more, took a lap more patience but once again the Sri Lankan was able to disappear into the distance. What was looking like plain sailing was interrupted, however by a safety car, which bunched the field.
The restart saw a brief loss of the lead, but Yevan was back in his happy place before another appearance of the safety car on the graphics. With only a handful of laps left and a stricken car on track, Race Control stopped the race meaning and unusual but no less meritorious victory under red flag conditions.
“It was a tricky race with two safety cars this time,” said Yevan.
“I was really happy that I was able to build the gap before the safety car was deployed and then I just needed to stay focused. I knew it would be a short race once the race restarted, but I didn’t expect another safety car then to finish under the red flag, but I’m happy with my performance and the result.”
David’s campaign continues at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, May 16 to 18, where the young Sri Lankan Lion will take on one of the most iconic and demanding tracks in global motorsport. Yevan David is supported in his 2025 Euroformula Open campaign by Merc Stop, Alcom, Dayholi and the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC).
At just 17, Yevan made history as the first Sri Lankan to score points in both Formula 4 and Eurocup 3, achieved pole position at the FIA Motorsport Games and became the first multiple Formula 3 level race winner from Sri Lanka. Yevan is a two time X30 Asian Series champion and impressed in the FIA-CIK karting championships before making his single-seater debut in the F4 UAE Series.
Renowned racing team Motopark, where Yevan is a part now, became the stepping stone for several successful racing careers having supported many drivers on their racing journeys including current Formula 1 drivers Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda. The 2025 EFO calendar comprises eight rounds across renowned European circuits, each hosting three races, totalling 24 races for the season.
The season, which commenced on April 26 and 27 at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal, and concludes at Monza, Italy on October 18 and 19. Other venues include Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Hockenheimring (Germany), Hungaroring (Hungary), Circuit Paul Ricard (France), Red Bull Ring (Austria), and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain).