ART Grand Prix heads into the opening round of the 2026 F2 season with a positive mindset following a successful pre-season test in Barcelona. Behind the wheel, the team’s drivers — Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak and Kush Maini — completed their testing programmes and were encouraged by the signs of competitiveness over the three-day session.
Reflecting on the pre-season test, Team Manager Frédéric Guyot said: “Overall, the tests have been quite good. We have two new drivers this season, so we need to get to know each other. We had some good quali runs on the second morning, so that’s positive. The third morning was a bit tougher because we had a red flag at the wrong moment before we could start push laps on soft tyres, which was quite bad.”
“Long runs in the afternoon were also quite good, so globally, we should be ready for Melbourne. It has been quite a positive test.”
ART’s commitment to preparation was clear during the F2 pre-season test in Barcelona. The French outfit completed 455 laps, the most of any team, while Maini logged an impressive 243 laps — the highest of any driver.
A clean slate in Melbourne
Although the data gathered in Barcelona remains crucial for understanding and developing the car, Guyot and the team acknowledges that these lessons won’t directly transfer to the high-speed street circuit at Albert Park.
Guyot said: “First, it’s only testing. Secondly, it’s Barcelona, which is a specific track. It’s a track that drivers know well, they drive a lot here, so you can’t always take away too much.”
“The car is maybe not set up the same for the other tracks. So, while it’s good to be quick here, let’s hope we will be also quick in Melbourne. But that will be a different story. It’s a track that the driver doesn’t experience anywhere near as often.”
Undoubtedly, the French outfit will be aiming to return to the joys and success of their 2023 campaign. However, last year the team finished 8th in the Teams’ Championship with 127 points — their lowest-ever finish in Formula 2. With Inthraphuvasak and Maini forming a fresh combination of rookie and experienced driver, ART will be hoping that the 2026 F2 season proves far more rewarding.
