David calls step up to F3 ‘surreal’ as confidence grows ahead of 2026 season

Yevan David says it has not yet sunk in that he will get the chance to race in Formula 3 this year, as his preparations for the 2026 campaign with AIX Racing began in Barcelona earlier this month.

The 18-year-old steps up to F3 after a strong 2025 campaign where he finished second in the Euroformula Open Championship with six wins and 14 podiums in total.

But now he takes the next step in his career and speaking at pre-season testing, David expressed how delighted he was to get the chance to race next to some of his idols.

“I can't express how excited I am,” said David. “Honestly, just being in the F3 paddock, near the F1 paddock, and racing on F1 weekends is going to be a pleasure.

“Sharing the track with people like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Honestly, it sounds crazy to say, I don't think it's hit me yet, it's just a surreal feeling.

“It just feels really nice. I'm very happy with how things are going with my career, with my life. I'm just very excited for all of it.”

David has had a busy winter preparing for this campaign, taking part in the three post-season tests in Jerez, Barcelona and Imola, before jetting off to New Zealand to compete in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy.

As the AIX rookie explains, this was key to keeping him in good shape heading into the opening rounds in Melbourne and Sakhir.

“I'm confident to the point where I have the belief in myself and the belief in my team,” he explained. “What's really helped me is that my inner circle, with my manager and my coach, we ironed out things and worked on things together that will help us for the season.

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“For example, being super clear on communication, what we need from each other, what we don't need, and I'm glad that we've been through that phase in New Zealand to learn that, because we don't have to learn that in Melbourne or Bahrain.

“We're one step ahead now, so just on that side, it's a huge help. Also keeping sharp with the racing, the overtaking and especially the qualifying execution, because that's going to be a big thing this year. It was a huge help from New Zealand.”

Also on show in New Zealand was the support that David got from Sri Lankan fans. He is set to become the first driver from the nation to race in Formula 3 this year, a record he considers to be an honour.

David is hopeful that the support will continue throughout the season, starting in Melbourne, where he expects there to be a huge gathering.

“In New Zealand, I did not expect anyone to come,” said David. “They ended up bringing a band called The Papare, which is what you usually hear at cricket events.

“So it's a specific band and they play a specific music, and it was the first time it was played at a racetrack. So that was a great feeling.

“I hope they bring it this year. Also everyone knows I'm coming to Melbourne, and Melbourne is like the mini-Sri Lanka.

“I have three extended families there. I'm having a meet and greet and some things leading up to the race weekend that I will be posting about in Melbourne. But the point is, there will be loads of Sri Lankan fans.

“The Sri Lankan meet and greet, there's going to be a huge community coming. So I hope everyone's excited for it.”

David is hopeful that he will give those fans a lot to be excited about in Melbourne, and he says he is doing all he can to be as prepared as possible for the trip to Albert Park.

“I’m leaving no stone unturned,” he said. “What I mean by that is, let's say I'm finishing this website interview, and before dinner, I need to stretch. In the morning tomorrow, I have to go over my reports.

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“In the evening, I have to memorise the brake points. My point is, I am doing every little thing possible that will help me in racing and in winning the championship.

“Even with doing everything, if things don't go our way, at least the intention was we worked 100 percent, and then we learn from it. So it's going to be about leaving no stone unturned.”

If it all goes to plan, David says the ultimate prize will be winning races and continuing his rise towards Formula 1. But he says before that can happen, he has to focus on the key details and processes every day.

“There’s no specific goal, because then you start mending to that goal, at least for me,” he said. “For me, obviously the goal is to win the championship and to win in Formula 1 in the coming years.

“But what gets there is doing absolutely as much work as possible and focusing on the process. So for me, it's doing whatever possible with the intention of reaching that goal.”