Yevan David shifts into high gear with historic F3 debut
“A win in the last race of the season was fitting. The day was very emotional, knowing that it’s the last day with my team Motopark,” Yevan said soon after the season finale in Monza.
“Even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, regardless of the outcome I’m happy with the way we executed. Eventually, I’m vice-champion and my team retained the team championship title. I dedicate this achievement to all those who supported me. I must thank everyone including my family. I transformed so much as a driver and as a human. I’m really excited for next year.”
As an 18-year-old emerging Formula 1 prospect, Yevan will step into the Formula 3 circuit next season with Fernando Barrichello, 20, and Brad Benavides, 24, teaming up for AIX Racing. Brazilian Barrichello competed alongside Yevan at Motopark in the concluded EuroFormula Open season while American Benavides joins as the first choice of AIX Racing, who made its F3 debut in 2023.
Yevan’s F3 debut will be a historic moment for Sri Lankan motorsport, as the first driver from the island nation to compete in the prestigious FIA Formula 3 Championship. For a country better known for its heroics on cricket fields, this is an unprecedented leap into the world of elite single-seater racing. His transition into F3 is not merely an individual feat, but a defining chapter in Sri Lanka’s sporting journey, one that could inspire a new generation to look beyond the traditional sporting arenas.
“After just one year in F4, I’m in F3 for the 2026 season. It’s going to be an incredible experience, it’s the first time I’m racing on F1 weekends,” an excited Yevan stated.
“I remember watching F3 as a kid and I was anxious to be there one day. I always believed I could reach that level, and it’s literally happening now in the coming season. It’s an absolute dream.”
Yevan has already proved his potential with the achievements he earned during his debut F4 season in the EuroFormula Open, collecting six wins and eight podium finishes in 21 races. Competing on world-class F1 circuits, he justified his reputation as a future F1 contender by finishing inside the top 10 in almost every race, eventually becoming the overall runner-up to champion Tymek Kucharczyk of Poland.
His talent and rapid growth as a professional racing driver did not go unnoticed as the German-based UAE formula racing team secured the Sri Lankan prodigy to join Barrichello and Benavides in F3. Both Barrichello and Benavides were part of AIX Racing this season as well, while the Rookie Championship winner joins to form a strong trio that could be a potent combination when the season begins in 2026.
“Of course it’s not the end goal, it’s just the next step and it’s a very cool step to take. I couldn’t be more excited,” said Yevan on his transition.
In 2024, his first full season of single-seater racing after graduating from a successful karting career, Yevan competed in a whirlwind programme spanning Eurocup-3, Spanish F4, and UAE F4. That year was about learning the craft, adapting to different cars, and gaining experience across diverse circuits, a foundation that has clearly paid dividends.
“Going into the EuroFormula season, I knew that if I did well I would get the opportunity to move up in the category. When I started winning we began talking to teams. Then when I got the call back, it was like a dream. I couldn’t explain the feeling,” he recalled of that moment when AIX Racing responded for the first time.
“I didn’t realise it at the beginning, but when it was announced I was thrilled. AIX Racing is a Dubai team based in Germany. I’m excited to work with them, we are like-minded and it’s easy to say we are comfortable going out as underdogs in F3.”
As much as his development as a racing driver, the level of competition he faces has escalated. Next season he will confront an entirely new challenge, competing against some of the world’s future F1 hopefuls on demanding circuits.
To gain added motivation, Yevan will run with number 44, switching from his usual 21. He explained that this inspiration came from his list of heroes, starting from Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, and David Coulthard to Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who all made F1 history with No.44.
With Yevan's grandparents when he arrived early Friday for a short visit. His grandfathers Nirmal Ranasinghe (L) and Paramesh David (R) were former motor racing stalwarts in Sri Lanka during their heydays
“My normal number 21 is what I started with from the beginning of my career, but I also used 44, taking inspiration from Schumacher, Coulthard, Senna and Prost, and nowadays Verstappen and Hamilton. I like both of them so much, they have different personalities, very different driving styles. By seeing different mentalities, I know there’s no single way to succeed, you can always take inspiration. That’s what I’ll put into action in the coming season,” Yevan stressed.
As the 2026 FIA F3 season draws closer, the scale of the challenge ahead cannot be understated as Yevan prepares to compete at iconic F1 venues such as Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza, where he ended the EuroFormula Open season with a flourish. Already he has made history by having the Sri Lankan national anthem played at Portimão in Portugal, Spa, Hockenheimring, Red Bull Ring in Austria, and Monza in Italy, where he finished first.
“To represent Sri Lanka has been a dream of mine. I always felt connected to my homeland, the support from my country is great. When I’m around in Sri Lanka kids come to me and idolise me, that’s incredible, to be an inspiration to youngsters at this age,” said a humble Yevan, expressing gratitude to all those who supported him.
This season alone, Yevan collected a number of trophies for his six wins, claiming the Rookie Championship, the Team Championship, and the overall runner-up title of EuroFormula Open 2025. Over the years, from his close to 550 races and nearly 30 wins, he has lifted many trophies with pride as the front man. Yet Yevan deeply values the elements that remain unseen to many beyond him and his car.
“The trophy and the medals are just the front part of it, everything behind is what matters. Every hour in the journey, every track I studied to get to that point is what’s truly behind. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into racing as well as my life to reach that stage. So when I lift the trophy I’m not just lifting it to show that, I’m lifting it to show everything behind, the hard work,” Yevan explained, hoping to continue his winning form from EuroFormula to F3.
“From nearly 550 races and nearly 30 wins, to some it’s success, but for me it’s mastery. I spent years at the back of the pack, not just learning how to race, but learning how to observe, to watch, and most of all, to be prepared to create that moment of glory. So far it’s been quite a journey,” he noted.
The upcoming FIA season of 2026 will surely attract an increased following among Sri Lankan motorsport fans with Yevan’s F3 debut. Every bit of action, from practice to qualifying sessions, wheel-to-wheel, bumper-to-bumper battles from start to the chequered flag, will be followed keenly and proudly as they witness one of their own represent the nation on international racing grid.