It was a very impressive debut for Zachary ‘Zach’ David in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship certified by FIA (FRMEC). The Malta-licensed Filipino driver went on to deliver a podium and a pair of point-scoring finishes during the season opener at Yas Marina Circuit, kicking off his 2024 campaign on a high note.
Zach was on pace after only a few test sessions and ended Friday well-within the Top 10. Driving the #20 R-ace GP entry, he then set the 7th fastest time amongst 29 drivers in Qualifying which gave him a strong starting position for Race 1 on Saturday.
The 16-year-old officially marked his race debut in Formula Regional as he lined up on the 4th row of the grid. After making a clean getaway at the start, he later found himself behind Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak whom he began to reel in by the race’s halfway point. His attempts to pass the Thai driver, however, proved to be unsuccessful. In the end, Zach managed to secure a solid 8th place when the chequered flag dropped and finish 3rd in the Rookie Cup.
A reversed-grid in Race 2 start saw Zach start from P3 on Sunday, giving him a clear shot at a podium finish. He immediately challenged for position in the opening stages and successfully passed Alexander Abkhazava on lap 3. Although his charge to the front was momentarily cut short due to a Safety Car period, it allowed him to close in on Arvid Lindblad who was in the lead. Zach kept the Red Bull Junior driver within his sights at the restart and began to chip away at his lead bit by bit. He later closed the gap to 0.879 secs to Lindblad at the finish line to land on the podium in an impressive 2nd place.
Zach would start the final race of the weekend in P12. Siding with caution, he avoided the opening lap chaos and moved up a spot before the Safety Car came out. An opportunity to overtake once again opened up in the closing stages where he made a clean pass on Valerio Rinicella for the final point-scoring position in 10th.
After Round 1 of the 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship, Zach David currently sits 6th in the Overall Driver’s Standings and 3rd in the Rookie Cup. The action resumes in just a week’s time for Round 2 as it returns to the Yas Marina Circuit on 19th to 21st of January.
Zach David: “Overall a solid weekend to start the FRMEC campaign. One podium and two points finishes gives us plenty to work on for the next round in a couple days. The highlight has to be the 2nd place finish in Race 2 – a well managed race overall, passing in the right opportunities, and finished close to 1st. Speed looks good, looking forward to the next race!”
Zach David is sponsored by Ceramic Pro, KAVACA / ION PPF, Stilo Helmets, Attard Baldacchino, Exoshield and Ceramic Pro Express, with support from Pet One Petfood, FB Hout, Everpower, Green Amenities, JG Summit Olefins Corporation, Ravenol Phillippines, AutoPlus Sports, Time Attack Manila, ISR, Keys School Manila, 3CX, Petron Corporation, and Malta Motorsports Federation.
For more info and the latest updates, follow ZachdavidRacing on Facebook, @zachdavidracing on Instagram, @zachdavid.racing on TikTok, and @zachdavidracing on YouTube.
[Photos courtesy of Dutch Photo Agency]
