ART Grand Prix’s Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak has settled into life in F2 well in 2026 as the Thai driver embarks on his rookie campaign with the French outfit. Despite a difficult weekend in Miami, Inthraphuvasak has started the season relatively strongly, having secured double points finishes at the season opener in Melbourne.
As the championship heads into its third round, Inthraphuvasak shared how he has adapted to the step up in 2026 and reflected on his weekend in Miami.
“F2 has been treating me really well so far. Here with a new team this year, it’s been going really well working with ART. I feel really comfortable with everyone in the team and I feel very gelled in with them.”
“Miami was just a very difficult weekend in general. But something that was always there was our pace. So now it’s just about putting things together and that has not affected my confidence for the rest of the season. I’m still super confident.”
Adapting to new machinery
Heading into the season, the 20 year-old had already gained his first taste of an F2 weekend at the final round of the 2025 season in Abu Dhabi, where he raced with Trident. With a clear difference in handling compared to F3, he explained how the F2 car requires a much “calmer” approach.
Inthraphuvasak said: “I think with the steering inputs, for example, you have to be a lot smoother and a lot calmer. With how heavy the car is, the weight distribution and the weight transfer has a lot of effect with every little movement you make with the car. Everything has to be a lot calmer, but I’ve found adapting to the car very fun and I’m always up for the challenge.”
Inthraphuvasak: “Learned a lot” from F3 season with Campos Racing
Stepping up after an impressive F3 campaign with Campos Racing last year, the Thai driver noted how he has grown since his first season. In comparison to a 24th-place finish in the standings the year before, three victories and six points-scoring finishes were enough for Inthraphuvasak to secure 7th in the Drivers’ Standings last year.
“Looking back on the first season in F3, I think I’m a completely different driver, I’m a much more mature person as well compared to that season. I learned a lot from that season. My mindset is completely different to how it was at the start.”
“I had a lot of speed from the very beginning of the season. I was very confident with the package we had but I never really put it together at the start. But I managed to find a better way to approach qualifying and I put myself in a better zone to perform all the time. You saw that at the end of the season.”
Having raced alongside Nikola Tsolov and Mari Boya at the Spanish outfit, he explained how much he learned and how it pushed him to achieve better results. Crediting the strong team and relationships he built at the team, he believes it played a key role in his growth.
He added: “Obviously, with two very experienced and very quick teammates alongside me, it helped me a lot and pushed me so much throughout the whole year.”
“I think my relationship with my engineer, who I worked with in the past also helped a lot. We had a lot of chemistry together and the working environment in the team was pretty good. I think that’s how I developed myself really quickly as a driver through the season.”
Flying the Thai flag proudly on the international stage
In 2026, Thailand celebrates a monumental moment in its motorsport history, with drivers representing the nation across all three main categories—Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi in F3, Inthraphuvasak in F2 and Alex Albon in F1.
Watching the sport’s popularity rise in Thailand, Inthraphuvasak said: “It’s honestly amazing to see how many Thai fans that are now interested in the sport. I see so many people interested in motorsport now, which is so cool to me.”
“Obviously, with Alex in Formula 1, he’s helped build a platform and helped bring a lot of Thai fans into the sport, which is also something I’m inspired to do in the future. It means the world to me to have the Thai fans supporting me from back home, whether it’s on TV or at the races.”
While rumours have circulated that a race in Thailand is in the works for the future, a home race for the 20 year-old will still have to wait.
“I think the wins last year also helped me build a Thai fanbase that are always supporting me.”
“It’s my dream have a home race in Formula 1 and hopefully be there one day to race at my home circuit. It would be amazing to have an event in Thailand, it would be different to any other weekend on the calendar.”
“Really, really confident” heading to Montreal
Despite a tough weekend in Miami, Inthraphuvasak heads into Montreal fuelled with confidence, saying: “I’m really, really confident. This is the most confidence I’ve had in I don’t know how long. With how we ended the season last year in F3, it built my confidence up so much and I’m trying to really bring that momentum into this year.”
Looking to build on the strong relationship he has built with ART, the Thai driver has his sights set on achieving results he believes they are worthy of.
“I’m really working well with the team. I think everyone in the team is so motivated to do well this season and really build a very good environment for me to keep growing as a driver.”
“So I’m looking forward to Montreal and to hopefully get the results we deserve.”
Currently sitting 9th in the Drivers’ Standings, Inthraphuvasak will be hoping to bounce back stronger in Montreal as the 2026 F2 grid tackles the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the first time.
