Sauber Karting Team driver Zach David has somehow managed to squeeze in a Formula 4 test within his already-busy 2022 racing calendar. Coming straight off the WSK Super Master Series in Sarno south of Italy, he and his dad Jeff made the 536 km trip up north to Mugello Circuit and joined the 2-day pre-season test of the Italian F4 Championship last March 14/15.
This was Zach’s first time on the 5.245 km circuit, which was used in the last Tuscan Formula 1 Grand Prix back in 2020. Also a first was his chance to drive the latest-spec 2nd gen. Tatuus T-421 Formula 4 car that now comes equipped with the halo.
Driving with AKM Motorsport, the Filipino karter covered 140 laps in total, which was more than enough to familiarize himself with the new circuit and new machinery. The Filipino karter was joined by 22 other drivers on track that included big names such as Ferrari Driver Academy driver Maya Weug, Brando Badoer who is the son of ex-Ferrari F1 driver Luca Badoer, and son of 2-time F1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, Emmo. By the end of 2 days of running, Zach was 11th fastest of all the runners most of which are confirmed for the upcoming Italian F4 Championship.
As he’s only turning 15 later this year, Zach still won’t be eligible to compete in any Formula 4 series in 2022. That should give him enough time to work on his driving and overall performance before he finally makes the big switch from karting to single-seaters by the time he’s ready.
Zach now has a 3 week break before his next race in the FIA Karting European Championship at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao on April 7/10.
Zach David: “It was a good learning experience, driving around Mugello in the new Formula 4 car. I still need to work hard on consistency and pace over long runs which I hope I can improve on during the next testing opportunity I get. Really looking forward to racing in single-seaters, but my focus right now is to deliver results with the Sauber Karting Team. The season has been decent so far. We’ve had some ups and downs, but we are on the right track and improving at every race.”
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