Zach David entered 2025 at a crossroads that many young single seater drivers talk about but few attempt all at once. The Filipino-Maltese driver, already seasoned by a steady climb from karting into Formula Regional, chose expansion over comfort, committing to a dual program that stretched across continents. With CL Motorsport in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and B Max Racing Team in Japan’s Super Formula Lights, David spent the year learning in transit, bouncing between cultures, circuits, and engineering philosophies. It was an ambitious choice that prioritised long term development over immediate return, and one that framed the season less as a chase for numbers and more as an education in adaptability.
The clearest moment of validation came in Japan. At Okayama, David stood on the podium for the first time in Super Formula Lights, a result that cut through a challenging year and gave shape to the work happening behind the scenes. “Top 3 was getting my first podium in SFL in Okayama,” he said, listing it first without hesitation. That performance mattered not only for the trophy, but for what it represented. Super Formula Lights is unforgiving, technical, and dense with local knowledge. For a driver balancing continents, that podium was proof that progress was real. His second highlight followed naturally. “Then getting to drive the Super Formula at the rookie test,” he said, a quiet milestone that placed him, briefly, inside Japan’s top single seater ecosystem. The third highlight stepped away from lap times altogether. “Finally meeting new people and creating memories with them.” It was a reminder that careers are built as much in garages and hotel lobbies as they are in qualifying sessions.
From a results standpoint, David is candid. “I think the season was a bit underwhelming from a results perspective,” he admitted. Circumstances mattered. New teams, new cars, limited testing, and parallel championships created friction that numbers alone do not explain. Experience, or the lack of it, became the limiting factor. Setup work emerged as an unexpected challenge. “Usually feedback is good but sometimes the setup and how I drove the car wasn't always at the same wavelength which caused a small disconnect,” he said, capturing the subtle frustration of modern single seaters where confidence and configuration must align perfectly.
Away from the cockpit, balance came through people. “Meeting new people and spending time together with them was the most enjoyable part outside of racing,” he said. The off season now feels open rather than prescriptive. “Im looking forward to hopefully setting things in motion for the future, as well as just improving myself overall.” Asked about goals, he resists rigid targets. “I dont really like to put goals, I would just like to do my best and see where it goes and what happens next season.”
For those arriving behind him, his advice is simple and unforced. “Try and learn as much as you can, do your best and enjoy it as it is a great experience.”
