ART Grand Prix’s Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak returned to the top ten and bounced back from a Sprint Race retirement at the 2026 Austrian GP, crossing the line in P5 to secure a much-needed result in the F2 Feature Race after a difficult run of races.
A gamble on the alternative strategy saw Inthraphuvasak start on the harder Soft tyre compound before switching to the Supersoft tyres, climbing through the field in the closing stages of the race alongside fellow alternative-strategy runner Oliver Goethe.
Reflecting on his race, the ART driver said: “Honestly, kind of bittersweet because I think the result could have been better today. I think being on the alternate strategy definitely worked out for us today. The race overall went very well.”
“I’m very happy to have taken a step back to where we belong this weekend. Hopefully this continues for the rest of the season. Happy to score some good points for myself and the team in the Feature Race.”
Inthraphuvasak rues “too safe” Lap 1 approach
“However, I think if lap one for myself was a bit better, I think we could have ended up third on the podium. A shame that we didn’t get lap one nailed in.”, he admitted.
The Thai driver admitted he took an overly cautious approach on the opening lap in an effort to avoid a repeat of his Sprint Race retirement. Despite losing ground early on, he praised the car’s strong pace during the opening stint and was pleased with the way he and the team executed the race. Nonetheless, Inthraphuvasak leaves the 2026 Austrian GP with positives to take away.
“I think I was too safe on my side just because I didn’t want what happened yesterday to happen today. I wanted to kind of have a clean race overall, but that was not the right decision, and we fell back quite a lot in the beginning.”
“The stint on Softs, we were one of the fastest and catching Ollie, who was in the lead of the alternate strategy battle. The pace in the race has been awesome. A good few battles with the guys in the last stint as well. A fun race overall, which is positive.”
Managing second stint on Supersoft tyres
Unlike the majority of the field, opting for the alternative strategy meant Inthraphuvasak was one of the few drivers on the Supersoft tyres in the closing stages of the race. Reflecting on his final stint, the ART driver explained: “Supersofts in a hot track temp like this weekend was super difficult.”
“I had to push to pass the guys in front on the different strategy, but also kind of save the Supersofts because I think I had eight push laps to go.”
“For sure if I pushed too much, I would have degged in the end, and they might have passed me back again. Coming out of the pits, it was tight with the guys on the other strategy.”
Having balanced attacking with tyre management, Inthraphuvasak eventually worked his way past the drivers ahead. However, he believes that with a little more pace or an additional lap, he could have challenged Invicta Racing’s Rafael Câmara for P4.
“After a few laps, I managed to overtake the guys in front. I think if I had been a bit quicker or we had one more lap, I think I would have caught Câmara as well. Overall, a very good race though.”
Looking to repeat Silverstone success
Heading to Silverstone this weekend, Inthraphuvasak has his sights set on building on this momentum and continuing to put together well-executed weekends.
When asked about his goals, he said: “Just bringing the momentum forward. I think the pace has been strong all year. It’s just about putting it together, and I think I found my different approach this weekend.”
“I’m really happy about that and I’m looking forward to carrying it on into Silverstone. It’s a track that I enjoy a lot. I obviously live in the UK as well, so it’s an easy trip from home.”
After securing his maiden Formula 3 victory in the Silverstone Sprint Race last year, the Thai driver is looking forward to returning to a track that holds fond memories.
“Really looking forward to bringing the pace we have here to Silverstone. In the past, I’ve had good results there. I won last year, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
