Maliban Yevan David partnership marks a defining moment for Sri Lankan sport as the iconic homegrown brand backs the nation’s first driver to compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, setting the stage for a historic 2026 season on the global motorsport calendar.
Maliban Yevan David partnership marks Sri Lanka’s FIA Formula 3 breakthrough
Maliban Biscuit Manufactories has announced a landmark partnership with rising motorsport star Yevan David, aligning one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted consumer brands with the country’s first-ever competitor in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. The collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment, as David prepares to take his place on one of international motorsport’s most competitive grids in 2026.
With more than 70 years of heritage, Maliban has long been synonymous with Sri Lankan ambition, consistency and national pride. The Maliban Yevan David partnership brings together a brand that has repeatedly invested in local sporting excellence and a young athlete who is redefining Sri Lanka’s presence on the global motorsport stage.
At just 18 years old, Yevan David has emerged as one of Asia’s most promising racing talents. His ascent has been marked not only by speed and results, but by the breaking of long-standing barriers for Sri Lankan drivers in international single-seater racing. His entry into the FIA Formula 3 Championship represents a historic first for the country, placing Sri Lanka alongside established motorsport nations on a global platform watched by teams, sponsors and fans worldwide.
David’s journey began at the grassroots level, with early laps at the Sri Lanka Karting Circuit forming the foundation of a career driven by discipline and relentless progression. Recognising the need for international exposure, he moved into competitive karting in Singapore, where his talent quickly translated into results. He captured the IAME Asia Series title in the X30 Cadet category and followed it with victory at the X30 Asia Cup, establishing himself as a formidable presence in regional competition.
The transition from karting to single-seater racing is often the most challenging step in a driver’s development, yet David navigated it with maturity beyond his years. In 2024, he competed across multiple championships, including UAE Formula 4, Spanish Formula 4 and Eurocup-3, gaining valuable experience on diverse circuits and against highly competitive fields. His breakthrough moment came in Europe, where he claimed two victories on his Euroformula Open debut weekend at Monza, instantly signalling his arrival on the international stage.
That momentum carried into 2025, a season that firmly cemented his reputation. David secured the Euroformula Open Rookie title and finished second overall in the championship standings, achievements that positioned him among the most compelling young drivers emerging from Asia. These results ultimately paved the way for his step up to FIA Formula 3, a critical feeder series to Formula 1 and a proving ground for future elite talent.
Speaking on the partnership, David described the significance of having a Sri Lankan brand alongside him at this defining stage. He noted that Maliban’s long-standing support of Sri Lankan sport added deeper meaning to the collaboration, reinforcing his pride in representing the country while competing abroad. For David, the partnership is as much about national identity as it is about performance.
From Maliban’s perspective, the decision reflects a broader philosophy rooted in belief and long-term commitment. Positha Perera, Group Head of Corporate Communications at the Maliban Group of Companies, emphasised that David’s journey mirrors the ambition, discipline and confidence the brand has championed for decades. He highlighted that supporting David is not merely an investment in motorsport, but an endorsement of a young Sri Lankan challenging conventional limits on an international stage.
The Maliban Yevan David partnership also builds on the company’s extensive history of backing sport at every level. Over the years, Maliban has supported international rugby tours, strengthened school-level hockey, invested in women’s and youth cricket, and played a key role in developing rugby across age groups and competitions, including the Inter Club Rugby League and the Clifford Cup Knockout Championship. This sustained engagement underscores a strategy focused on nurturing talent, fostering opportunity and building national pride through sport.
As David prepares for the demands of FIA Formula 3, Maliban’s support adds stability and confidence to a campaign that will test skill, endurance and adaptability across Europe’s most challenging circuits. Beyond individual success, the partnership carries symbolic weight. Each race weekend will see Sri Lanka represented at a level previously unattained, with a familiar local brand reinforcing that presence.
Together, Maliban and Yevan David are set to carry the Sri Lankan flag into every corner, every straight and every chequered finish of the 2026 season. Their collaboration stands as a statement of belief, signalling that with the right support and determination, Sri Lankan talent can compete, and succeed, on the world’s biggest sporting stages.