ART Grand Prix has confirmed that Taito Kato will begin his 2026 season by contesting the opening three rounds of the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy (FRME). The programme forms part of the Japanese driver’s preparation for his step up to the FIA Formula 3 Championship later in the year.
However, due to a scheduling clash with his first official FIA Formula 3 pre-season tests, Kato will not take part in the final round of the FRME season. Even so, ART Grand Prix views the opening phase of the championship as a valuable opportunity for both driver and team to build momentum early in the year.
Strategic build-up to Formula 3
ART Grand Prix has positioned the FRME programme as a competitive launchpad for Kato’s 2026 campaign. The Middle East rounds will allow him to remain race-sharp and gain further mileage in Formula Regional machinery before fully committing to his Formula 3 responsibilities.
Team Principal Sébastien Philippe highlighted the value of the programme, explaining that it offers Kato the chance to start the season in a highly competitive environment before transitioning to FIA Formula 3.
“This programme allows Taito to start his 2026 season in a competitive environment before moving on to his FIA Formula 3 commitments.”
Proven pedigree in junior single-seaters
Born on 25 November 2007 and raised in Taki, Mie, Kato has built a strong reputation as one of Japan’s most promising young drivers. After gaining experience primarily in domestic karting, he began expanding his international presence in 2022 and 2023 with selected European outings.
His breakthrough came in 2024, when he competed in the French F4 Championship under the Honda Formula Dream Project. Kato established himself as a title contender from the opening round and went on to secure multiple victories and podiums. Despite a fiercely contested and controversial finale, he claimed the French F4 crown and emerged as one of the standout drivers of the season.
Kato graduated to FRECA with ART Grand Prix in 2025. Throughout the season, he demonstrated consistency and adaptability, ultimately finishing seventh overall against a highly competitive field. That campaign laid a solid foundation for his next step up the single-seater ladder. In parallel with his European programme, Kato also gained experience in the 2025 FRMEC, further strengthening his technical understanding and racecraft.
Focused on the next step
Looking ahead to 2026, Kato will use the first three FRME rounds as a final phase of preparation before his Formula 3 debut. He expressed enthusiasm about continuing with ART Grand Prix and embracing a fresh challenge alongside the team.
“I’m so excited to be competing in the FR Middle East with ART GP. A new challenge awaits me, but I will give my best performance together with my team.”
ART Grand Prix, meanwhile, looks forward to working closely with Kato during the opening rounds of the Middle East series, confident that the programme will place him in a strong position as he embarks on the next chapter of his career in FIA Formula 3.
