The 2026 F3 season resumes in Monaco after a lengthy gap following the opening round in Melbourne, giving drivers their first opportunity in several weeks to measure their progress against the competition. For ART Grand Prix rookie Maciej Gładysz, the break arrived at a useful moment, allowing him to reflect on an encouraging start to the 2026 F3 while continuing his development away from the race track ahead the round in Monaco.
The Polish driver emerged from Australia with valuable points, fresh experience and confidence in both his own performance and the team’s package. However, he also identified areas that still require improvement. As Formula 3 begins a crucial European stretch featuring several races in quick succession, Gładysz believes consistency, discipline and strong qualifying performances will be essential.
Ahead of his first appearance on Monaco’s famous streets, he, during a virtual media roundtable attended by Pit Debrief, spoke about his mental development, lessons from Melbourne, preparations during the break and his ambitions for the remainder of the season.
Gładysz acknowledges mental improvements made ahead of 2026 F3 debut
One of the biggest areas of progress for Gładysz has come away from the cockpit. After experiencing frustrations during previous campaigns, he spent considerable time working on the mental side of racing.
Reflecting on the changes he made over the winter, he said: “Well, what I’ve changed was on my mental side, I’ve worked quite hard, because I think that was my biggest weak point. Last year, I was struggling with that. I was getting many penalties as well, and lost many points on that. In the end, I obviously could, but I didn’t. I was more focusing for the next season. I started off quite well, but it would be good to keep that momentum, as I had in Melbourne.”
Those improvements have already helped him begin the season on a stronger footing. Nevertheless, Gładysz knows that maintaining composure and avoiding costly mistakes over a long championship campaign will remain just as important as outright speed.
Encouragement and lessons from his Melbourne debut
The opening round at Albert Park provided an encouraging start to Gładysz’s rookie F3 season. Although he left Australia satisfied with several aspects of his performance, he also recognised that there was room for improvement, particularly during the Feature Race.
Looking back on the weekend, he said: “Yeah, I was quite happy in Melbourne. I think I did quite well. Maybe [the] races didn’t go as planned. I think the Feature Race could have been much better on my side. A bit too many mistakes, I would say, I made.
“And then, I mean, still it’s been one round, so eight more to come. I mean, we’ve done testing, but obviously testing compared to race weekend is much different, much bigger pressure. And, obviously, conditions are much different all the time. So, car is good, just driver needs to be quite good as well.”
While Melbourne highlighted the competitiveness of the ART package, it also reinforced how fine the margins are in F3. Small errors can quickly influence the outcome of a weekend, especially in such a tightly packed field.
Gładysz on staying sharp during the long break between the 2026 Melbourne and Monaco F3 rounds
After Australia, drivers faced one of the longest pauses on the calendar. Rather than viewing the gap as a disruption, Gładysz used the time constructively alongside the ART team.
Explaining how he stayed focused, he said: “Yeah, I mean, as [Théophile Naël and Noah Strømsted] said, we’re preparing physically and mentally as well on the sim at ART. I think we spent that break quite well. I’m happy to be finally back on track.”
Simulator work, physical training and mental preparation formed a key part of the programme. As a result, Gładysz arrives in Monaco feeling prepared and eager to resume racing after several weeks away from competition.
Spielberg test delivers useful information ahead of season resumption
The in-season test at the Red Bull Ring also provided an important opportunity for drivers and teams to evaluate performance and address weaknesses before the European campaign gathered momentum. For Gładysz, the opening day proved challenging, but the team made significant progress before the test concluded.
“Yeah, I think the first day in Red Bull Ring didn’t go as planned. We were struggling with the car, so I think it was good that the test happened. Because on the second day, we managed to improve the car and it was much better. Yeah, obviously, we needed to work on the car for the long runs. But, I mean, we are still one or three weeks to Red Bull Ring. So, yeah, we will do our best for the race weekend.”
The improvements made during the test gave the team valuable data and a clearer understanding of where further development remains necessary.
Monaco presents a completely new challenge for Gładysz
Although Formula 3 drivers encounter several demanding circuits during the season, Monaco stands apart from every other venue on the calendar. The narrow streets, unforgiving barriers and constant need for precision create a unique challenge.
For Gładysz, the event carries added significance because it marks his first experience racing on a street circuit.
“Yeah, it will be my first time driving the street track. I’ve never been to Macau, so it will be a big test for me. But I’m really looking forward to it. It will be important to bring the car to the tent after FP, just to not make any silly mistakes in the first push, just to build the momentum step by step, and then get as much information as possible for the Quali, and then hopefully qualify well.”
Rather than taking unnecessary risks early in the weekend, he intends to build confidence progressively and maximise the learning opportunities available during Free Practice. That approach naturally places extra emphasis on what is often the most important session of the Monaco weekend.
Qualifying more important than ever in Monte Carlo
At most circuits, drivers can recover from a disappointing Qualifying session through race pace and strategy. Monaco, however, rarely offers that luxury. Consequently, securing a strong grid position becomes one of the most important objectives of the weekend.
Gładysz fully appreciates the significance of Qualifying around the streets of Monte Carlo. He explained, “I think it will be very important to take as much information as possible from FP. And then, obviously, the Qualifying, ART is at the end of the pit lane, so it’s quite difficult for us. But we’ll try to get out of the pits as soon as we can. Set it up quite quickly, so adapt to the track quite quickly and to qualify on top would be nice.”
Track position and timing often play a decisive role in Monaco Qualifying sessions, making preparation and execution critical. A strong result this weekend could also provide momentum ahead of a particularly busy period in the championship.
Momentum could shape the 2026 F3 Championship
Monaco also serves as the starting point for a demanding sequence of European races. With events arriving in rapid succession, strong performances can quickly generate momentum in the championship standings. Gładysz believes consistency will be the key factor throughout that period.
In response to a question from Pit Debrief, he said, “Yeah, it would be good to start Monaco quite well. Just to qualify on top and then keep the momentum for the rest of the season. It would be really important to be consistent, qualify every time at the top. Even if I score small points, it would be still quite important for the championship.
“But, I mean, obviously, it’s been only one round, so it’s difficult to say now. But I hope everything goes well. Tracks are really nice. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
Avoiding mistakes a priority for Gładysz in Monaco
With the 2026 F3 field appearing exceptionally close in both testing and Melbourne, every detail matters. Drivers must combine pace, consistency and racecraft while avoiding errors that could prove costly over the course of a season.
Discussing what will be required moving forward, Gładysz, in response to another question from Pit Debrief, said: “Yeah, as Noah said, I think when everything will matter, it will be good to put everything together in Quali to qualify on top, obviously, or even, yeah, obviously top 12 will be very important. And then to be smart in the races, not to make any silly mistakes, just to not get any penalties. That will be really important, especially for me. In Melbourne it didn’t happen, so it’s a good thing as well for me. Yeah, that’s all.”
As F3 returns to action for the second round of the 2026 season, Gładysz heads into Monaco carrying confidence from Melbourne, lessons from the off-season and a clear understanding of what he needs to achieve. If he can combine his improved mental approach with strong qualifying performances and disciplined race execution, the ART rookie could place himself firmly in contention as the championship battle intensifies across Europe.
