After a challenging campaign, ART Grand Prix aim to mount a strong comeback during the 2026 F2 season as they welcome an all-new driver lineup, Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak and Kush Maini. The French outfit endured its most difficult season since securing both titles in 2023, finishing 8th in the Teams’ Championship with 127 points.
In 2025, the team fielded experienced duo Victor Martins and Ritomo Miyata. With a blend of youth and experience in 2026, ART will be hoping to utilise that balance to return to the front of the field as the 2026 F2 season draws closer.
Aiming to convert pace into results
When the 2025 season drew to a close in Abu Dhabi, ART entered the off-season questioning their pace and potential. Throughout the season, the French outfit constantly found themselves struggling to convert their pace into points, podiums or victories. However, at times, their car — particularly in the hands of Martins — proved strong over a qualifying lap. The Frenchman impressively found himself qualifying inside the top three at 8 of the 14 rounds, including his pole positions in Melbourne and Silverstone.
While locking out strong grid positions was one thing, converting that Friday pace into results on Saturday and Sunday proved far more difficult for ART. Across their 2025 campaign, the team secured just four podium finishes, with Martins claiming three of them — including ART’s only victory of the season in the Lusail Feature Race.
Although Martins had stated that the team worked hard to improve their package, their efforts appeared to pay off during the post-season test, with both Inthraphuvasak and Maini expressing their satisfaction with the car’s performance.
Welcoming a rookie and an experienced driver
The pre-season test in Barcelona proved highly productive for ART, who completed 455 laps across the three days — more than any other team. With two race-winning drivers joining, the team welcomes strong talent and clear potential, a combination that could provide the foundation for a more successful 2026 campaign.
For Inthraphuvasak, the 2026 F2 season marks his first full campaign in the championship. The Thai driver finished 7th in 2025 Formula 3 Drivers’ Standings, claiming three victories last year — the second-highest tally behind reigning Formula 3 Champion Rafael Câmara. Inthraphuvasak was the only driver on the F3 grid to complete every racing lap last season, highlighting both his consistency and race craft. While his speed would’ve undoubtedly caught ART’s attention, the clear progress he demonstrated from his rookie year was also an important factor and marked a significant step forward.
Alongside the 20 year-old, Maini returns to the 2026 F2 grid for a fourth season in the championship, after finishing 16th in the Drivers’ Standings last year with 32 points. The Indian driver has claimed two victories and five podiums in his F2 career thus far, and is expected to be an invaluable addition to the team based on his experience. Having showcased consistent pace across all three of his F2 seasons, Maini will be hoping to replicate that form with ART this year.
Together, the French outfit will be hoping that their duo will spearhead a charge back up the Teams’ Standings and return to their glory days once again.
