Vietnam’s 16-year-old speedster, Alex Sawer Hoang Dat, is set to make history as he joins the Finnish racing team, KIC Evans GP, in the 2024 Formula Three FRECA (F3) championship.
“This is a whole new ball game for me, with fresh wheels, tracks, and a different racing vibe,” Alex expressed. “I’m pumped to take on this challenge and soak up all the experience. Moving up from the F4 Indian Championship has been a big step, and I owe a lot to the support I’ve received on the FIA Global Pathway.”
Joshua Evans, the owner of KIC Evans GP, praised Alex’s performance in the F4 Indian Championship. “Having seen him in action during the Indian series, I was blown away by his natural talent and competitive spirit,” Joshua commented. “His knack for outperforming seasoned competitors was truly impressive.”
Currently racing in the F4 Chinese Championship for BlackJack Racing, Dat has already made his mark with a first-place finish in Shanghai on April 20 and a second-place finish the following day. With 35 points, he’s trailing behind Chinese racer Jiang Fukang by just two points in the standings. The championship spans 18 stages from May to November.
Before his stint in China, Dat competed for the Hyderabad Blackbirds in the F4 Indian Championship, where he clinched the fifth spot overall after 15 races.
Born in 2008 to an English father and a Vietnamese mother, Dat hails from Ho Chi Minh City, where his family has nurtured his racing dreams from a young age. With Vietnamese nationality, Dat proudly represents Vietnam in various international competitions.
Guiding the young prodigy is former Malaysian F3 racer Mitch Gilbert, a pioneer in Asian formula racing. Prior to his F4 endeavors, Dat made waves in both domestic and international go-kart tournaments.
F4 serves as a launchpad for aspiring racers looking to make it big in the professional circuit. Dat’s swift transition to F3 within a year underscores his immense potential.
The Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) stands as one of the premier F3 tournaments, featuring 20 stages across 10 countries. Running from May 11 to October 27, the 2024 FRECA boasts 12 teams, with Alex and Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi of Thailand representing Southeast Asia under the KIC Evans GP banner.