Taito Kato secured the first podium finish of his F3 career during the Feature Race at the 2026 Australian GP weekend. The ART Grand Prix rookie finished third after a chaotic race at Albert Park Circuit that featured multiple Safety Cars and several penalties which reshaped the final classification.
Although the final result was influenced by incidents and steward decisions elsewhere in the field, Kato nevertheless demonstrated strong race management throughout the event. Careful tyre preservation, consistency during the race’s interruptions and measured driving in the midfield battles ultimately helped him secure a place on the podium.
Strong performance and positive outlook
Speaking to the media, including Pit Debrief, during the post-race press conference, Kato reflected on the challenges of preparing for the Feature Race under unusual circumstances. With the Sprint Race ending prematurely, he had limited data on tyre wear and race pace, which made predicting the race’s demands more complicated.
“It was a really nice race, to be honest. We couldn’t drive in the Sprint Race, so I didn’t know how much the tyre degradation was during the lap. But we managed it quite well. So this is quite a positive thing for the next round.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding tyre management, Kato highlighted how the car’s performance helped build his confidence throughout the race and allowed him to maximise every lap.
“The car was amazing, the whole race. To be honest, ART is struggling a bit with this circuit, but I think it’s quite a good step from last year to this year. So I think it’s quite a positive day. Let’s keep pushing for the next round.”
Communication and race strategy play critical role for Kato in F3 Feature Race at 2026 Australian GP
Because the Sprint Race ended prematurely, teams entered the Feature Race with very limited long-run data. Drivers therefore had to carefully balance tyre preservation with race pace, particularly during the multiple Safety Car interruptions that repeatedly compressed the field and disrupted rhythm.
Kato emphasised the importance of his engineer’s updates, especially as the race order changed rapidly following incidents and penalties.
“My engineer gave me the information during the last Safety Car, so before that point, I didn’t know which position we were in. And then I asked on the last lap which position we were, and then the engineer said P3. So I was a bit surprised, and yeah, to be honest, there was a bit of luck for this race. So it’s feeling like a P5 finish for the race, so in the next round, I want to get the P3. It’s my job.”
Starting from seventh on the grid meant Kato had to work his way through the midfield rather than fighting at the front from the outset. Reflecting on that challenge, he stressed the importance of strong qualifying performances for consistently achieving top results.
“I think Qualifying is the main thing. Still, P7 is not too bad for both races, but yeah, there is a need for consistency to be in the top five. So we need a tiny bit more improvement in qualifying. I think this place was pretty nice. So let’s keep pushing.”
Beyond the strategic and technical demands of the race weekend, Kato also expressed his enjoyment of the Albert Park Circuit itself, quickly developing an appreciation for its fast and flowing layout.
“Yes, I love it,” he replied when asked if he liked the circuit.
Continued confidence from pre-season testing
Although the podium result was a strong way to begin his Formula 3 campaign, Kato revealed that the team had already entered the weekend with a degree of confidence. During pre-season testing, ART Grand Prix had shown encouraging pace, particularly during the winter sessions held in Barcelona. For Kato, those sessions had already suggested that competitive results could be possible.
“I thought [it would be] more difficult to get the podium, to be honest, for sure. This weekend start from P7 for the Feature Race. But yeah, I knew that we had pace from the winter test in Barcelona. So yeah, we had quite good confidence for Round 1.
Even with that confidence, however, securing a podium finish during his very first race weekend still came as a pleasant surprise. It also reinforced his belief that the team could continue fighting near the front as the season progresses.
Nevertheless, the Japanese driver made it clear that his ambitions extend beyond simply reaching the podium.
“So yeah, to be honest, it’s finally [good to get] the podium. But my next target is a win. So I think this weekend we got on. Campos Racing is really, really quick so I think next target is catching up with them. So yeah, let’s keep pushing with the team.”
Kato building momentum for the next F3 round after Feature Race podium at the 2026 Australian GP
Reflecting on the overall weekend, Kato emphasised how the results had provided a valuable boost in confidence for both himself and the team. The combination of a solid qualifying performance and strong race results demonstrated that ART Grand Prix could be competitive across different race conditions.
“Yeah, this weekend is really nice,” he said in response to a question by Pit Debrief. “I think, yeah, quite good confidence for, I think, happy for Round 2, to be honest. Yeah, in Qualifying was P7, and then Sprint was P5 and Feature Race P3 like this.”
He added that the weekend’s challenges reinforced his belief in the team’s car performance and his own ability to manage the race under demanding circumstances.
“So, I think car was really nice. And yeah, I thought it’d be more tough to fight in the race, but I could manage quite well during the race, which is quite a positive thing for next round. So yeah, I think next round will be good.”
Long-term ambitions remain clear
Although Kato openly acknowledged that reaching F1 remains his ultimate goal, he made it clear that his immediate focus is firmly on performing strongly in F3. He highlighted that while Japanese support for motorsport continues to back talent in Formula 1, his current priority is developing his skills and achieving consistent results this season.
At the same time, he pointed out that Japanese representation in Formula 1 continues to keep the country connected to the sport’s top level.
“I don’t think [the support was] toned down for Formula 1, because still a Japanese driver [Yuki Tsunoda] is a reserve driver there. So it’s not a negative thing.
Despite that long-term dream, Kato stressed that his primary focus remains on performing well in F3 this season. Consistent results, strong development, and continued progress will be essential if he hopes to move further up the single-seater ladder.
“So yeah, I want to be there [in] the Formula 1. So, it’s my dream, but yeah, this dream is really tight, so I need to get a good result with Formula 3 this season, and for the future as well.
For now, the rookie is determined to remain fully focused on the present challenge, approaching each race weekend with careful preparation while steadily building his experience.
Maintaining an aggressive racing approach
Despite this long-term focus, Kato also stressed his commitment to racing assertively whenever opportunities arise on track. He acknowledged that the Safety Car in Melbourne had disrupted the rhythm of the race but remained determined to seize chances in future events.
“Well, it’s for sure, it’s racing, so I want to attack to [be] in front and be second, but yeah, a bit unfortunate at the end of the race with the Safety Car. But yeah, next one will be, I hope it’s no Safety Car, and then clean race, and then I want to finish the inside of the results.”
With a podium already secured in the opening round, Kato enters the next race weekend with growing confidence. His blend of measured focus, aggressive intent, and rookie adaptability positions him as a rising contender in Formula 3 as the 2026 season unfolds.
