Kanato Le, an eighteen-year-old racing talent from Tokyo, is set to race in the 2026 FR Oceania Trophy with Hitech TGR. With a career already packed with valuable experience in junior formula racing, Le is looking to use the opportunity in New Zealand as part of his preparations for the FIA F3 Championship with ART Grand Prix, where he will race later in the year.
Early years in karting and single-seaters
Le’s motorsport journey began when he moved to the UK at the age of 12, aiming to progress his career in European karting. Over three seasons, Le gained significant success, including a European karting title and several top-ten finishes. In 2022, he made his debut in single-seaters, competing in the Formula 4 Championship alongside a stint in the UK’s Ginetta Junior series, where he claimed two wins and five podiums.
Le is one of the more experienced drivers in the Formula Regional category, having raced in both the Middle East and European Formula Regional Championships. In 2024, he competed in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship and the Formula Regional European Championship. His 2025 season saw him secure his first win in the Middle East, as well as a podium finish and consistent performances in the European series, including a fourth-place finish at Spa.
In addition to his Formula Regional career, Le also participated in the GB3 Championship, where he won his first race in 2025 at Spa-Francorchamps. He also competed in the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 2024, where an accident on the opening lap prevented him from finishing the race. Despite the setback, Le’s performances in multiple series have proven his versatility and skill across different levels of racing.
Le aiming for title in New Zealand
Now, Le will bring his extensive experience to the 2026 FR Oceania Trophy with Hitech TGR. The championship, which runs through January and February, will serve as a crucial opportunity for Le to refine his skills ahead of the FIA F3 Championship. With a field of highly competitive drivers, Le is determined to make the most of the opportunity and challenge for the title.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in New Zealand for the first time,” Le said. “To be able to race against top drivers before the main season starts will be very valuable and of course I’ll be focussing on trying to win the championship with Hitech.”
With a season in FIA F3 on the horizon, Le’s ambitions are clear. He aims to take everything he learns in the FR Oceania Trophy and apply it to his next challenge. The experience gained in New Zealand will be essential as he moves into the next stage of his career, continuing with ART Grand Prix in the highly competitive F3 series.
