Sri Lankan Yevan David made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan winner of a race in the Euroformula Open Championship in 2024. David, born in Colombo and then living in London and Singapore, entered motorsport early on through go-karting following a passion. In Belgium’s 2021 “Champions of the Future Karting Race,” he became a rising star of the sport that year. His success in recent times in Euroformula racing is viewed as a mark of his hard work and dedication and a testament to his ability as a young driver and in inspiring young drivers in Sri Lanka and further.
Beyond a personal victory, David’s achievement has having significance, because it promotes greater representation of South Asian talent in motorsports. David is a trailblazer that navigates these fundamental challenges of being the only grassroots opportunity where he is recognized for his accomplishments. With success came national pride, as his achievements have been congratulated by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Sports and such media as ones that have hailed the Olympian as national hero.
Yevan’s accomplishments have been well noticed as they also talk to what continues to be carried on conversations about motorsports inclusivity and support. He admits he knows there are many barriers to success for emerging drivers from South Asia and that there needs to be investment to develop talent in the region. After David keeps travelling, he become the proof that if someone has a guts and persistency to win in the most uncompetitive scene.
It was established in 2001 as the Spanish Formula 3 Championship, but seven years later its name changed to Euroformula Racing also known as Euroformula Open Championship. Races across multiple European circuits take place across various race weekend in the championship that consists of three races for each event. As a result, team dynamics become a matter of strategic collaboration with regards to the points scored for their two, best result.
An eight round provisional calendar for the 2024 season was announced, barring a new event at Hockenheimring, where the race was cancelled last year at the last minute. Ever since it was resumed, the championship has used the Dallara 320 chassis which provides the same playing field for drivers and for teams to show off their individual skill and team strategy. Teams and drivers include Brad Benavides, Fernando Barrichello, Team Motopark and Team West-Tec and RP Motorsport among others.
Less is Euroformula Racing focused to just Spanish circuits and has now added across Europe and also picked up non Spanish teams. The anticipation is that this broader participation will encourage even more talent in the coming seasons of motorsport as the driver’s push to improve their world motorsport careers. A forward thinking course of action, the championship is aligned with the technical regulations for Japan’s Super Formula Lights, setting up a strong framework to mould junior formula racing in Europe.
Yevan David’s win at Monza is personal and significant for Sri Lanka in global motorsport. David is the first Sri Lankan to compete in Euroformula, a step up from Formula 4 to showcase his ability and the potential for more Sri Lankans to come through in future. His journey is supposed to help grow a more diverse motorsports community in South Asia, a place where talent from around the globe can flourish.
Sri Lankan racing prodigy Yevan David eyes a life in motorsport. David says he is going to move into Formula 4 after a win in the “2021 Champions of the Future Karting Race,” and hopes to be in Formula 1 by 2022 or 2023. It is structured with the under 14 categories and the senior category for 2013 season. Through recent history in Eurocup 3, David has shown that he is committed to the training, discipline and he has even adapted well to difficult conditions to take a podium in the series.
The challenges involved in securing sponsorship and financial backing for David’s career are a testament to the inspirational story of a Sri Lankan racer beating the odds to inspire an aspiring generation of racers in the country and elsewhere in the region. His journey shows that you can make it in the international motor sport without being a big name in the business and has incited interest in pursuing a career in the sport. For aspiring athletes in Sri Lanka, David’s journey is a beacon of hope.
Written By: –
Rtr. Imeth Nenuka
(Senior Blog Team Member 2024-25)
Edited By:
Rtr. Shehan Sandeepa
(Junior Blog Team Member 2024-25)
