David started karting at the age of 8 on the Karting de Royan track in his hometown. He started in official competition in 2013 in the Mini-kart category and finished third in the Coupe de France, first in the Poitou-Charentes regional championship and second in the Center Region. In 2014, he finished fifth in the Coupe de France and the French Championship in the Minime category, David was also best rookie. That same year, he entered the 10-153 program of the French Federation of Automobile Sport (FFSA). In 2015, he won the French Cup, the Rotax Challenge and finished third in the French Championship in the same category and became a member of the French Karting Team.
In 2016, he made his international debut and became Belgian Champion in X30 Cadet. He again won the Coupe de France and became Champion of France Cadet. In two years, he participated in 30 national and international competitions, climbed 28 times on the podium and won 26 victories. From 2017, he improved his international presence and finished fourth in the European Championship and third in Genk, German Championship and in the OK-Junior category. In 2018, he won the WSK at La Conca in the same category and won a round of the German Championship in Genk in the OK category.
Lower formulae
In 2019, David joined the French F4 Championship.[1] In preparation for this season, he also participated in the F4 SEA Championship, using the same Mygale M14-F4-Renault as the French championship. David won 6 of the 8 races he participated in along with 1 second place and 1 seventh place.[2]
In the opening round in the French F4 series at Nogaro, he won two of the three races, along with two poles and all three fastest laps, allowing him to take the lead in the championship. He won his third victory of the season at Pau. He won again at Lédenon, and despite some complicated races due to contact with other drivers resulting in him finishing 9th and 16th, David still lead the championship with Réunion'sReshad de Gerus being his only real championship rival. David won two new victories on the Hungaroring and from this point to the end of the season David didn't fail to step on the podium once with one more victory at Paul Ricard. This victory made David the youngest driver to win any FIA Formula 4 category at the age of 15 with a total of 280 points.[3]
In October 2019, David partook in the post-season test at Yas Marina with R-ace GP and MP Motorsport.[5] The following January, it was confirmed David would make his debut in the upcoming season with the latter, partnering Franco Colapinto.[6] Speaking of that opportunity before the season, Renault Academy boss Mia Sharizman remarked that the series was "an excellent platform to develop and test Hadrien David's talent".[7] However, the Frenchman experienced a slow first half of the season, which included a streak of four consecutive races without points. David would improve in the second half, scoring consistent points finishes and finishing on the podium in Imola. He ended up finishing tenth in the standings, seven positions behind teammate Franco Colapinto.
David spent 2023 on the sidelines. However, he made a one-off return in the championship with ART Grand Prix for the Spa-Francorchamps as driver Charlie Wurz was having laryngitis.[13] He again returned to the championship with Monolite Racing, to replace an absent Kirill Smal at the Red Bull Ring round.[14]
FIA Formula 3 Championship
At the end of September 2022, David partook in the FIA Formula 3 post-season test with Carlin during the second day.[15]
As reward for winning the French F4 title, David became a member of the Renault Sport Academy in January 2020.[6] He was released following the academy's rebrand as Alpine Academy.
David was re-signed by the structure in March 2022, this time as a member of their new Alpine Affiliate programme.[18] After just a year, David left the programme.[19]
Karting record
Karting career summary
Season
Series
Team
Position
2012
Championnat de France Regional Aquitaine — Mini Kart
1st
Challenge Rotax Max France — Mini Kart
5th
Sens Trophy — Mini Kart
NC†
Championnat de France Regional Bourgogne Franche-Comte — Mini Kart