Maintaining his strong momentum from Yas Marina, Zachary ‘Zach’ David delivered one of his best performances all season during the 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship certified by FIA (FRMEC) finale over the weekend. The Malta-licensed Filipino driver went on to deliver 2nd place and a pair of point-scoring finishes at the Dubai Autodrome to conclude the championship 4th Overall.
Zach was on pace straightaway during Testing and Free Practice. This translated well into Qualifying where he ended the 2 sessions in P4 and P6, respectively giving him a good shot at a strong result.
Lining up on the second row of the grid, Zach slingshotted off the line in Race 1 and immediately made his move to nab P2 on the run to the first corner. He then slotted behind teammate Tuukka Taponen and gave chase for 16 laps. The pair would open up a sizable gap to the rest of the field to eventually cross the finish line in formation, giving his team a 1-2 finish and earning Zach his second P2 finish in FRMEC.
A reverse grid for Race 2 placed Zach in P9. Unfortunately, it was not the best start but Zach managed to hold position on the opening lap before the Safety Car was called out. He went on attack mode after the restart and found his way up several places in the chaos. As several cars tangled, the lone Filipino driver on the grid concluded the race in a strong 6th.
Zach went on an all-out attack in final race of the weekend on the final round of the season, but so did everyone else. Starting from P6, he found a way past 2 cars on the opening lap and tucked into P4. In the end, Zach took the chequered flag in 4th place to wrap up his debut season.
With a 2nd place and two point-scoring finishes at the Dubai Autodrome, Zach David concludes the 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship 4th in both the Overall Driver’s and Rookie Cup Standings to earn him 10 Super License points. Impressively, he finished behind two Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) drivers and a McLaren Formula E Team reserve. Also in the top 10 mix were several FIA F3 drivers.
His team R-ace GP also bagged the Team’s Championship with the combined efforts of David and his teammates. The Filipino driver now shifts his focus preparing for the upcoming 2024 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) that kicks off at Hockenheimring in May.
Zach David: “A very successful campaign to start 2024, finishing with 4 podium finishes and 4th in the Overall Championship gives us plenty to look forward to for the European campaign. A strong last 2 rounds consistently being up there meant we jumped up from 11th in the standings, after a difficult rounds 2 and 3, to 4th at the end of it all. Quite pleased with the end result, but with some missed opportunities and potential for more, we can shift all our focus to iron those little things out in time for the FRECA season.”
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 Dutch Photo Agency]
