From getting airsick as a youngster to becoming an Air Race X World Champion, Patrick Davidson's journey has been shaped by persistence, family, competition and an enduring passion for flying.
Five-time South African aerobatics champion and 2025 AIR RACE X World Champion Patrick Davidson has been around aeroplanes for as long as he can remember. Yet, somewhat ironically, flying did not always agree with him.
As a youngster, Patrick suffered from motion sickness, but with the encouragement and persistence of his father, Stewart, he persevered and eventually overcame it. Stewart was no ordinary flying mentor, himself a world-class pilot; he played a pivotal role in introducing his son to competitive aviation.
By the age of 12, Patrick had flown, and won, his first competition, with a safety pilot accompanying him. He continued developing his aerobatic skills under his father's watchful eye, initially flying a Yak-52 before progressing to his licence in a T6 Harvard.
He competed solo for the first time on his 17th birthday.
“From then I have continued to fly aerobatics and do airshows and contests around South Africa and the world in both aerobatic aircraft and warbirds, which I have been privileged to own and fly,” says Patrick.
Patrick has accumulated more than 2,500 flying hours across more than 20 different aircraft types. His flying CV includes the L-39, T6 Harvard, Sea Fury, Yak-3, Yak-18, Yak-52, Yak-55, Stearman, Sukhoi, Extra, Sbach, T-28 and P-51 Mustang, among others. To say the least, a remarkable collection of aircraft.
Patrick's international air-racing career began to take shape in 2018 when he was given the opportunity to compete in the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Class.
In only his third race, in Kazan, Russia, Davidson claimed his first qualifying victory and finished second on the podium. Later that season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he qualified on pole again and went on to finish third. He became the first South African to compete in the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Class.
a href="http://pilotspost.com/PsPpyRedL5" TITLE="Click here for more information" target="_blank">
Years of competition followed, bringing podium finishes and valuable experience, but the elusive top step remained just out of reach.
Then came 2025. Patrick opened the 2025 AIR RACE X season in spectacular fashion, winning the opening round after a closely fought final against Japan's Yoshihide Muroya. The victory gave him an early championship lead and, more importantly, demonstrated that he had the pace to challenge the established names at the front of the field.
AIR RACE X combines real-flight data with advanced technology to create a form of aerial motorsport in which pilots compete against the clock on three-dimensional courses.
The series represents a new chapter in modern air racing competition, bringing together the sport's most accomplished pilots and breakthrough talent. Racing at speeds exceeding 400 km/h while enduring gravitational forces of up to 12G, pilots compete across three-dimensional courses in the most demanding test of precision flying in motorsport.
The championship battle remained fiercely contested throughout the season.
In the season finale in Osaka, Patrick produced when it mattered most. After progressing through the knockout stages, he faced Muroya in the semi-final before meeting Deliu in the final and won the race, securing the points required to claim the 2025 AIR RACE X championship.
Current season: The 2026 season features six confirmed pilots, including multiple world champions and rising stars, with two more debut pilots announced in March. Some of the notable competitors include, Yoshihide Muroya (Japan): Two-time reigning champion, Patrick Davidson (South Africa), Martin Šonka (Czech Republic) former world champion and veteran tactician, Emma McDonald (Australia) rising star and next-generation talent and Aarron Delue (Australia) breakthrough performer from 2025.
The top four went into the final round with the championship still open. Muroya qualified second, reached the final and finished second. That left him tied with Patrick Davidson on 99 points, and the crown went to Davidson on the season win count.
Yoshihide Muroya entered the final round leading the championship. After qualifying second, he won his Quarterfinal and Semifinal heats to reach the final, where he finished second to Patrick. Both pilots flew without penalties, each recording a time in the 61-second range.
The result left Muroya and Patrick tied on 99 points for the season. Patrick's two race wins to Muroya's one, secured him a second consecutive championship. Muroya, meanwhile, ended the season second overall.
