ART Grand Prix’s Maciej Gladysz delivered a standout performance during the opening day of the 2025 FIA F3 Championship post-season testing in Barcelona. This testing session, which featured a highly competitive field, set the stage for an exciting season ahead. While Ugo Ugochukwu dominated the morning session, it was Gladysz who shone in the afternoon, setting a blistering time of 1:29.003 to lead the field. The day proved to be a vital step forward for the young driver and his team as they continue to refine their preparations for the upcoming season.
A promising start to the day
Gladysz expressed his satisfaction with the overall progress he had made throughout the day. In a sport that demands continuous improvement and adaptability, every test session is an opportunity to learn and build confidence. For Gladysz, the day in Barcelona was marked by steady growth, and he was eager to share his thoughts on how things were progressing.
“Honestly, today was quite good. Every time we’re going out on the track, we are building our pace up. I was improving my understanding of the car more on every run.”
In the afternoon session, Gladysz found himself at the top of the timesheets, an achievement he felt was an important milestone in his development.
“It’s only the second time driving this new car, so I think it’s going quite well. The last run in the afternoon, I think it went quite well. I managed to put the lap together, there was still some bits to find so could have been better, but in the end, I think the result is okay and I’m quite happy with it.”
Although satisfied with the day’s performance, Gladysz remained focused on the future, adding, “Tomorrow is another day, so I will try to repeat it. I will try to do a better lap, but to repeat the result would be nice.”
From Jerez to Barcelona: A clear step forward
Looking back on the previous post-season test in Jerez, Gladysz was able to reflect on how much progress he had made since then. Jerez had been a tough test for ART Grand Prix, with Gladysz finishing in 23rd place overall. However, the focus during that test had not been on achieving fast lap times but on gaining confidence and familiarising himself with the car.
“I think myself and the team have made a big step. Every time we are going out on track, we are making some kind of step with the car. And so far, we are going in the right direction.”
He continued, “From Jerez to here, I’ve managed to improve many things. It’s about putting laps together, tyre warm-up and track position. And I think today those areas went well. So, let’s see how everything goes tomorrow, because conditions will be better.”
Gladysz was also quick to acknowledge the support of his team, emphasising the importance of their hard work and dedication. “But for today, I’m quite happy to finish the day like we did, and to understand the car more. So, a huge, huge thanks to the team.”
Building confidence for the future
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Gladysz was determined to make the most of the remaining testing days. The lessons learned in Barcelona will be crucial as he continues to develop his skills and gain confidence behind the wheel. Reflecting on his experience in Eurocup-3, Gladysz acknowledged the challenges that come with stepping up to Formula 3.
“It’s actually a big difference because before testing I was driving Eurocup, and now even though it’s my second time driving in F3, I’ve made some steps.”
The move to F3 represents a significant leap, with faster cars, more demanding tracks, and a higher level of competition. For Gladysz, each session was an opportunity to close the gap between where he was and where he needed to be in order to compete at the highest level.
He went on to explain the specific areas where he had felt the biggest differences in performance: “The high-speed corners are a big difference. The brakes are different, and DRS and speeds on the straight are a big step. But now, I’m building up confidence, and I think it’s going quite good.”
Overcoming challenges and building momentum
Despite the difficulties faced during the Jerez test, Gladysz remained optimistic. It was clear that, while the results hadn’t been what he had hoped for, he viewed these post-season tests as an opportunity to grow and build momentum for the future.
“Maybe in Jerez, it wasn’t quite as good, but these are post-season tests, so there’s still a long time before we get to Australia, everything will be the most important there. But now these days in Barcelona, I think they are going quite well. The confidence on my side is going up, so I’m really happy to finish the day like that.”
By the end of the day, Gladysz was in a much better place mentally, as evidenced by his final reflection.
“After some sessions last week, I was a bit down and I was a bit unhappy, but after today’s ones, I’m bit more positive going into tomorrow, and my confidence is growing.”
A positive day for ART Grand Prix
As the first day of testing in Barcelona concluded, ART Grand Prix had every reason to feel encouraged. Ugo Ugochukwu and Campos Racing may have been the team to beat in the morning, but it was Gladysz’s impressive showing in the afternoon that had everyone taking notice. With more testing still to come, it was clear that ART Grand Prix had made significant strides since Jerez, and Gladysz’s growing confidence would be a key asset moving forward. As they continue to refine their car and strategy, the team is well-positioned for the challenges of the 2026 season.
