Eighth Podium of the Season for David in Hungary
First visit to Hungaroring provides external challenges for Sri Lankan sensation
Sri Lankan racing driver Yevan David took his eighth podium of the Euroformula Open season at his first race weekend at the Hungaroring - venue for next month’s Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix - but external factors conspired to lose his overall championship points lead as the season reached the halfway mark in the fourth round.
David - racing in his final event at 17 years-old - belied his rookie status against more experienced competitors as he was the fastest driver at the circuit in the pre-event test and delivered the second-fastest time in qualifying. However, for Saturday’s first race of the weekend, David would line up in eighth due to a penalty for a procedural matter in the qualifying session.
David’s luck didn’t hold good in the first race with a powertrain issue meaning he was unable to deliver to the maximum of his abilities. After a trademark rapid start - from eight to fourth on the first lap - it was a case of damage limitation as David fought hard despite his disadvantage relative to his rivals. His eighth-place finish left the Sri Lankan still in the overall lead of the championship, however with a diminished 10 points advantage.
“Saturday was a tough day where we got penalized in qualifying for a red light infringement which saw our P2 fastest lap deleted meaning I started from P8 on the grid. Then a technical issue meant we fell back to P8 and finished there even after a great start. We knew what the issue was so we were still positive heading into Sunday.”
Sunday’s first race saw yet another storming start, as David powered up the order from eighth on the grid to third at the chequered flag to take his eighth podium of the season. With his team-mate and championship rival Michael Shin finishing ahead of him, the title lead was now relinquished for the first time this year as David sat just one point adrift heading into the event’s third and final race.
"It was a very good race two to start Sunday. From eighth I was up to third by around the fourth lap. I didn't have the free air to overtake into P2, but we definitely had the pace and we secured good points for the championship. I was very excited for race three as we made a lot of positions from eight to third in the morning; we definitely have the pace and starting from P8 again we can do it again for sure."
The final race of the weekend was a similar affair with David making a strong start and fighting hard to finish under a second off another podium, but with Shin once more ahead David heads to the next event with a four points deficit from the top of the overall standings, however he continues to lead the Rookie standings.
“A great way to end the weekend by finishing fourth and a rookie podium. We did our best, it was quite difficult in the dirty air to overtake but we had the pace from the start, made some good first lap overtakes and concluded the weekend. Overall, a good weekend. We recovered well from the qualifying penalty. I'm very much excited for Paul Ricard; we know we have the pace and we can do well.”
Euroformula Open action will resume at Paul Ricard, France, the most-recent venue of the French Grand Prix, on July 18-20, but before that David will celebrate his eighteenth birthday this week.
Yevan David is supported in his 2025 Euroformula Open campaign by Merc Stop, Alcom, Dayholi and the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC). He is contesting his first full season in the ultra-competitive single-seater championship, where all drivers do battle in identical Dallara 324 chassis powered by TOM’S engines.