It was a weekend to forget for Zachary ‘Zach’ David when the Formula Regional Middle East Championship certified by FIA (FRMEC) visited the Dubai Autodrome for Round 3 of the 2024 calendar. Technical woes and a bit of bad luck riddled the Malta-licensed Filipino driver and robbed him of what could have been point-scoring finishes.
Running the full 5.390 km GP circuit, Zach was able to gradually close the gap to the front-running drivers over each test session. However, with such a competitive 28-car grid, being off pole position by less than a second meant that he ended up P13 in the first Qualifying and P15 in the succeeding session.
Zach knew that there was work to be done in Race 1 on Saturday. Starting from the seventh row on the grid, he made a clean getaway and held position on the opening lap. An opportunity would open up on lap 3 where a clean move promoted him to P12. But with all the drivers so evenly matched, overtaking proved to be difficult. Zach later managed to pass one more car in the closing stages and had his eyes set on a Top 10 finish. It was just unfortunate that he ran out of laps and settled for 11th place across the finish.
Race 2 should have given the 16-year-old a sure shot into the points if it weren’t for an engine issue on his #20 R-ace GP entry. Down on power, he was unable to fight and defend for the entirety of the 16-lap race and wound up in 15th place.
The lone Filipino driver on the grid had one final shot to secure a solid result on Sunday with hopes of concluding the weekend on a high note. A quick start off the line in Race 3 allowed Zach to move up several places and fight his way into P10 by lap 3. His charge to the front, however, was cut short when several cars got into a fight and led to a crash.
Despite the unfavorable results, Zach David remains focused on his 2024 campaign in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship. He’s currently 12th in the Overall Driver’s Standings and 6th in the Rookie Cup as the championship heads back to the Yas Marina Circuit for Round 4 with the races taking place on the 9th to 11th of February.
Zach David: “Missed a little bit of pace this weekend which affected the whole of Round 3. We’ll look into it and come back stronger for the 4th round as we head back to Yas Marina in a couple days time.”
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 Philippines, AutoPlus Sports, Time Attack Manila, ISR, Keys School Manila, 3CX, Petron Corporation, and Malta Motorsports Federation.
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[Photos courtesy of Matt Romualdez Photography]
