COVER STORY | SRI LANKAN OF THE YEAR 2025
THE RISE OF A RACING PRODIGY
Yevan David is LMD’s Sri Lankan Of The Year for 2025 – the youngest since our annual award was presented to the late Sri Lankabhimanya Lakshman Kadirgamar back in 1995
Yevan David’s trajectory is a signal of a new generation stepping confidently into arenas once thought of as being out of reach”
There are young achievers… and there are those rare individuals who seem to bend time itself, compressing a lifetime of ambition, discipline and achievement into their teenage years.
Yevan David unmistakably belongs to the second category!
At the ripe young age of 18, when most teenagers are discovering the outlines of their aspirations, David has already carved his name into the international motorsport arena.
So could he be Sri Lanka’s first racing driver to make it to the F1 circuit in time?
STANDING ON LMD’S PODIUM It is this extraordinary combination of precocious talent, relentless determination and national representation on the international stage that sees this young racing driver standing on the podium – this time around, as LMD’s Sri Lankan Of The Year 2025.
Motorsport is not a field for the faint-hearted; it demands precision, instinct and a mastery over milliseconds – attributes that are arduous to cultivate, let alone perfect. Yet, Yevan’s ascent has been defined by his ability to adapt under pressure, learn quickly and execute with maturity far beyond his years.
From his earliest days in karting circuits to competing internationally in more advanced racing categories, David has demonstrated that talent alone is never enough; it is perhaps the discipline behind the talent that sets him apart.
And what makes his journey so compelling is not merely the races he has won or the podiums he’s stood on – impressive as they are, it’s his mindset that underpins it all. David’s achievements in international racing have placed him among some of the brightest young talents in the world of motorsports.
Competing against highly trained athletes from racing powerhouses in Europe and beyond, Yevan has repeatedly demonstrated that his skill is not fleeting. He has earned a place on the grid – and on the world map – through hard work, resilience and a competitive spirit that belies his age.
EMBODIMENT OF POSSIBILITY But perhaps what resonates most powerfully – and what makes him worthy of being LMD’s Sri Lankan Of The Year – is that he represents something larger than personal accomplishment. He embodies possibility.
In a nation where exposure to elite motorsport is limited, where opportunities are hard-won and where pathways to international racing are far from straightforward, his ascent provides a new reference point for what young Sri Lankans can imagine for themselves.
A SYMBOL OF ASPIRATION His story has already sparked conversations about nurturing youth talent, investing in disciplines and recognising the global potential of the next generation. Youth see in him a model for carving one’s own path. And for the broader public, Yevan David has become a symbol of aspiration – proof that the world stage is not reserved for others but accessible to those who dare to reach it.
Beyond the track, what stands out is his humility. David understands the weight of expectations that accompany early success but chooses to focus instead on improving his craft, listening to his coaches and respecting the process.
It is this attitude that distinguishes him as not only as an athlete to watch but a personality deserving of national recognition.
PUSHING BEYOND LIMITS His journey is only beginning – there’s more ahead to chase and milestones to be reached. But what he has already achieved at his age is remarkable by any stretch of the imagination. His narrative is not defined by speed alone; it is defined by commitment, a mindset sharpened on international racetracks and a willingness to push beyond what seems possible.
Yevan David’s trajectory is a signal of a new generation stepping confidently into arenas once thought of as being out of reach. It reminds us that national pride is born not merely from medals or trophies but individuals who are brave enough to stretch the limits of what is possible for Sri Lanka.
As LMD’s 2025 Sri Lankan Of The Year, he embodies that promise – surging past expectations and proving that greatness can take flight long before the world anticipates it.
– LMD
FINDING FLIGHT ON FOUR WHEELS
Tamara Rebeira profiles Sri Lanka’s 18 year old motor racing prodigy following an exclusive interview at LMD House
“I always come back to Sri Lanka…”
Calm in conversation yet electric on the track, Yevan David represents a new generation of international athletes who are shaped by many cultures but rooted firmly in their identity. As he prepares for the next leap in his already illustrious motorsport journey, David reflects on the moments, mindsets and milestones that brought him here – beginning not on the world’s major circuits but in a place much closer to home.
THE RACING GENESIS As it turns out, Yevan David’s story begins not in Europe or Singapore but here at home. He recalls: “We woke up one random Sunday and went to the go-karting track. I tried it… and it was amazing – I loved it so much.”
That single morning was enough to spark something far larger.
Around the same time, he was watching Lewis Hamilton dominate Formula 1 with Mercedes. The combination of that first taste of speed and the inspiration of a global icon planted the earliest seeds of a dream – one that began when he was only six years old.
At that age, Yevan didn’t realise how unusual it was. “I don’t really remember life before racing. So it never felt abnormal – it was just my life,” he reflects.
His inspiration however, wasn’t confined to the track. He was also shaped by basketball and the likes of NBA legends such as Michael Jordan.
“It wasn’t about the sport itself. It was the personalities, the attitude, the way they carried their teams,” he explains. These influences helped shape the kind of athlete he aspired to be: disciplined, composed and purposeful.
This crossover makes sense because for David, racing is far from the solitary endeavour people imagine. He explains: “It’s a team sport. Engineers, mechanics, strategists – everyone matters. I learned that even more from behind-the-scenes shows such as ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ and now the ‘Road to F3’ vlog series.”
“We woke up one random Sunday and went to the go-karting track. I tried it… and it was amazing – I loved it so much”
SRI LANKAN AT HEART Despite having lived in multiple countries, travelled across continents and trained extensively in Europe since his early teens, David’s identity remains deeply anchored in Sri Lanka.
His upbringing across different cultures has shaped him far beyond the racetrack.
“I’ve lived in different countries for my family’s work and also for racing. Moving to Italy was something I never expected. But all these cultures taught me how to work with different people. I understand their backgrounds. It helps in racing,” he says.
Yet, the constant throughout these transitions has been his connection to home. “I always come back to Sri Lanka. And what’s amazing is how many people around the world know the country. I get to show them what Sri Lanka is really like,” he reveals – beyond the tourist clichés, and into the food, the rhythm and the everyday character of the island.
THE REAL BATTLEFIELD Of course, with a fast rising career comes the weight of expectation.
When asked about pressure, David follows with a lesson in emotional intelligence that belies his age:. “One thing I learned is that pressure is created in the mind. We create it. Even if others pressure us – parents, teams, fans – it’s on us to interpret it. I see all of it as support.”
He continues: “My biggest enemy is myself. I want myself to do well. If I let external expectations affect me, that’s my choice. So instead, I channel it. People want me to do well because they believe I can win.”
This grounded mindset, he says, came from an unexpected source: meditation. Introduced to the practice in 2022 by his mother and grandmother, he began with five minutes a day, sitting still and focussing on his breathing.
Initially, it felt ineffective but over time, meditation quietly transformed his approach to performance and pressure.
“One thing I learned is that pressure is created in the mind”
GROUNDED IN SIMPLICITY Racing at David’s level demands rigorous physical, mental and technical training. But he thrives on the grind rather than feeling weighed down by it.
“It’s about growth. Every time you train, you get better. Even if you lose a race, you learn something – improvement becomes addictive,” he says.
And despite the intensity of his routine, he insists his downtime is grounded in simplicity: spending time with family, watching Netflix, going to the beach or playing with his dogs. These small rituals balance the relentless travel and competition that his fledgling career demands.
“Even if you lose a race, you learn something – improvement becomes addictive”
THE ROAD TO FORMULA 1 So what advice would he offer young dreamers?
Yevan cites three heartfelt truths: “Believe in yourself, enjoy what you do and follow your passion – because it’s planted in you for a reason.” These aren’t rehearsed lines, he insists; they’re lived convictions.
Looking ahead, David has mapped out a bold but realistic timeline. “F3 in 2026 and 2027, then two years of F2. And that’s four years – my window to reach F1,” he explains.
Representing Sri Lanka, he says, is surreal. Whether in karting or formula cars, the flag has travelled trackside with him across the world. “The support from Sri Lanka in the last few years has been incredible. This year especially – having the Sri Lanka car – unbelievable. I’m so proud,” he notes.
And his hope for the country is both simple and powerful: to inspire.
Whether in racing, sport or any profession, he wants young people to believe that they can chase their ambitions. “I want people to believe they can do the same,” he says – a fitting sentiment from a young racer who is already redefining what’s possible.
“Believe in yourself, enjoy what you do and follow your passion – because it’s planted in you for a reason”
PURE GRIT
Allaam Ousman chronicles the prospects of a future F1 star
Sri Lanka is witnessing the rise of a new generation of sporting heroes – young, fearless, and fuelled by a belief that borders and limitations exist only in the mind. In the span of merely two years, two teenagers from vastly different worlds have redefined what is possible for a nation long starved of global sporting triumphs.
Tharushi Karunarathna, the unassuming girl from a remote hamlet in Kandy, rewrote history with nothing more than grit, discipline and an iron will. Her epoch making 800m gold medal at the Asian Games – the first in athletics for Sri Lanka in 21 years – instantly elevated her to legendary status. Her ascent was not just a victory for sport but a triumph of perseverance over circumstance.
She won LMD’s Sri Lankan Of The Year award two years ago – Tharushi was 19 at the time.
On another frontier – this time on the blazing hot asphalt of Europe’s high-speed circuits – 18 year old Yevan David is writing an equally compelling story. With a steering wheel in hand and the lion of Sri Lanka emblazoned on his helmet, he’s taking on the world’s finest junior drivers as he climbs the ladder towards Formula 1.
What began as a childhood passion on a karting track has transformed into a national quest. Today, he is one of the most exciting young talents in international motorsport, racing fearlessly and carrying the Sri Lankan flag into arenas where few expected to see it.
Together, Karunarathna and David embody a new era of Sri Lankan sporting excellence – precociously talented, lionhearted and unapologetically ambitious. They have shown a nation that dreams can lead to podiums under the brightest lights, and that Sri Lanka’s flag can fly proudly in stadiums and circuits across the world.
It is in this spirit of breakthrough and national pride that we chronicle the remarkable journey of Yevan David, an athlete steering a nation towards motorsport glory.
His rise through the fiercely competitive world of single seater racing has been nothing short of extraordinary and his next chapter – competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2026 – places him firmly on the road to motorsport’s greatest stage: Formula One.
David’s story is one of uncommon focus from a remarkably young age. His journey began in 2014, when a casual outing to a karting track in Bandaragama with his father sparked a lifelong passion.
It was the same year he watched Lewis Hamilton dominate Formula 1 – an experience that provided clarity to a six year old’s vision: he would become a professional racing driver one day.
What followed was a decade of relentless effort with the David family relocating frequently to support his growth through Singapore’s elite karting ecosystem and Europe’s premier junior racing categories.
That dedication paid off in 2025, when David delivered one of Sri Lanka’s most significant international sporting achievements – winning the Rookie Championship and finishing second overall in the Euroformula Open Championship, becoming the first Sri Lankan to earn both accolades.
It was a season defined by fearless attacking drives, podium perfect consistency and a heroic victory at Monza – Ferrari’s sacred home ground – where the Sri Lankan national anthem played across the Italian circuit for the first time.
Behind every elite driver is a world-class support system and David’s team is one of the most respected in the junior formula landscape. At its core is manager Horia Totu, a veteran who has guided multiple drivers into Formula One. Totu is both a strategist and mentor, overseeing everything from team selection to race preparation.
Complementing this is fitness coach Alex Stott, who manages the immense physical demands of motorsport – where drivers endure extreme G-forces, violent braking loads and hostile cockpit temperatures. Stott prepares David not only for the present but for the step up to F3 and beyond.
On the communications and branding front, PR manager Andy Stobart ensures that David remains grounded, confident and media savvy – skills that are essential for a driver heading toward Formula One.
Motorsport runs deep in the David family. His grandfather Paramesh David was a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s racing scene. His father Yohan David is an ever-present mentor, guiding him through highs and lows with unwavering faith. Their legacy lives on in the lion emblem painted on David’s helmet – paired proudly with Ferrari red, a nod to the team he dreams of racing for.
With nearly a decade of racing experience, a remarkable rookie season behind him and a coveted Formula 3 seat secured, David now stands closer than any Sri Lankan has ever been to Formula One.
His impact already reaches far beyond the racetrack.
To thousands of young Sri Lankans, David is proof that global dreams are within reach. To the sporting community, he is one of the world’s brightest rising talents. To his team, he’s a future Formula One driver.
As he prepares for his next chapter, one thing is clear: Yevan David is not just racing for victory; he’s racing to put Sri Lanka on the world motorsport map.
And he is just getting started!
