ART Grand Prix’s Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak returns from the summer break raring to get back on track as the tenth round of the 2026 F2 season gets underway at Monza. The Thai driver will look to carry the strong momentum he built before the break, having claimed his maiden F2 podium in the Feature Race at Spa-Francorchamps.
Speaking during a virtual media session attended by Pit Debrief, the ART discussed his expectations for the remainder of the year, reflected on his rookie season so far and weighed in on the major news to emerge from the feeder series yesterday.
Excitement surrounding LN4 Fusion continues to grow among junior drivers
Ahead of the 2026 Italian GP, reigning F1 World Champion Lando Norris announced two major projects aimed at fostering and supporting young talent as they progress through the junior single-seater ladder: a racing team, LN4 Fusion, and the self-funded LN4 Legacy Programme.
From 2027, LN4 Fusion is set to compete across several categories, including Italian F4, FREC and F3, while the team is also seeking an entry into the F2 championship for next season.
When asked about the initiatives and the significance of having an F1 driver so heavily involved in supporting talent across the junior ladder, Inthraphuvasak echoed similar sentiments to TRIDENT’s Laurens van Hoepen, saying: “Yeah, exactly. Like Laurens said, it’s really cool to see.”
“I think it’s the first time we’re seeing something like this, an F1 driver being involved with the junior ladders. So yeah, it’s really cool to see and I can’t wait to see them on track soon.”
“Worked pretty hard” to find momentum in recent rounds
The 2026 F2 season has delivered its share of ups and downs for Inthraphuvasak, who currently sits 10th in the Drivers’ Standings ahead of the Monza round. After being forced to withdraw from the Montreal round and enduring a run of consecutive non points-scoring finishes, the 20 year-old began to turn his fortunes around in Silverstone.
Looking ahead to the final stretch of the season, Inthraphuvasak outlined his expectations for the remainder of his rookie campaign, saying: “I mean, I think I had a pretty good start to the season in Melbourne. So I think the expectations were pretty high coming into the season. The pre-season testing went very well, so I had high expectations.”
“I think there were a few races I struggled with at the beginning of the season with the crash in Montreal having to pull out and also nothing really going right in my favour. But I think we have worked pretty hard to kind of finally get back to where we belong in these last few races.”
He added: “And I think the momentum has been going very well into the second half of the season. So yeah, it’s good to see that we’re back into the top ten of the championship. And I’m looking forward to continuing this kind of momentum into the last few rounds that we have.”
Sights set on fighting for wins and podium in final rounds of the season
Defining what a successful end to his rookie season would look like, the ART driver said: “I think I really have good momentum right now. It’s been a long summer break, so I just really can’t wait to get back into the car right now.”
“I think over the last maybe four or five qualifying rounds, we’ve been inside of the top five or top six. So yeah, it’s been really positive. The podium in Spa, the feature race, obviously. So yeah, I have high confidence coming into the second half of the season. Hopefully we fight for wins and podiums again.”
Inthraphuvasak credits ART Grand Prix for growth on and off track
Having worked with the French outfit for his rookie season, he acknowledged ART’s proven track record and credited the team with helping him find his footing and develop both on and off track.
“I think that obviously ART is a very experienced team. If you look at what they’ve achieved over the past, it’s one of the best junior teams out there for sure. They’ve got more than enough experience to help me not only grow as a driver, but as a person.”
Having overcome the early challenges of the season together, Inthraphuvasak believes the last few rounds have shown that they have the potential to fight for strong results when everything comes together. Looking ahead to the final four rounds after Monza, he hopes to build on that momentum and continue his recent run of form.
“I think we’ve had a lot of struggles maybe in my fitness a lot throughout the first half of the season, but I think they really helped me gain the confidence back throughout these rounds, and we’ve worked really hard through each weekend and each round to get back where we belong.”
“I think the potential and the package we have is very strong. It’s just about putting everything together and that’s what we’ve been doing over the past few rounds. I’m just looking forward to continuing that in the last rounds that we have.”
Inthraphuvasak: Monza is “a track where you have to get qualifying right”
When asked by Pit Debrief how drivers continue to find an extra edge when returning to familiar circuits year after year, he explained: “Yeah, like you said, Monza is one of those tracks that everyone has pretty much driven in the lower rankings and I think it’s a track where you have to get qualifying right, you have to get a tow.”
“It’s a short lap, so every detail counts and it matters a lot. Like Laurens said, it’s our first year in F2, so I think we have to analyse a lot with the team through all the data that they have in the past to kind of see what’s different from F3 and even what’s different from last year.”
“Because every time you arrive at a track, there’s always little changes, whether on the track or with the weather and stuff. So yeah, go through everything with the team and that’s what we did today, so I think we’re prepared for tomorrow.”
Pirelli has brought two of the softest compounds, the Supersofts and Softs, in its range to Monza for the second consecutive year. Combined with the addition of a new DRS zone, this change should create more overtaking opportunities and more on-track action.
The art of the slipstream around Monza
“I think it’s a lot harder and more complicated in F3, as you saw in the past few races, and we have experience from last year as well. So I think, yeah, I think it’s much easier in F2.”, Inthraphuvasak said when asked they will approach finding and using the slipstream around the 5.793km circuit.
“I think the drivers are more experienced and calm. So I think we’ll get away with that a lot better than in F3, like Laurens said a few years ago.”
He added: “I think it’s a track that you require a very good slipstream for quality. Like I mentioned before, it’s a very short circuit. So the times will be extremely close, as you saw in the past. So every detail counts.”
“And yeah, I think with it being supersoft and soft, it’s a very similar compound. So the strategy will also make it very interesting in the races. So yeah, we’ll have to see how it goes tomorrow and then plan the races afterwards.”
Inthraphuvasak on the lessons learnt in his rookie season
The Thai driver highlighted the constant learning process that has defined his rookie F2 campaign, with every session and lap helping him better understand the car and adapt his driving style. Despite the challenges throughout the year, Inthraphuvasak has enjoyed the experience and remains positive about his progress.
“I think, with me being a rookie this year, I’ve obviously learned a lot of things throughout the season in every session and every lap I do in this car, I learn more how to drive and how to adapt my driving style to fit with this car. And I think it’s been going very well. I’ve been enjoying every single moment of this season so far.”
While no particular surprises have caught him off guard, the 20 year-old described the season as one filled with changes and challenges, which have also given drivers the opportunity to race at circuits that were not originally on the calendar, including Miami and Montreal.
“Something surprising? I wouldn’t say it’s surprising, but I think it’s been very good this year to be able to go to different circuits like Miami and Montreal that we haven’t been to and also Madrid coming up.”
“So I think it’s been a season of like, yeah, different changes and challenges as well. So it’s been enjoyable so far.”
Inthraphuvasak set for first taste of MADRING next week
The 2026 F2 season heads to another new venue next week, with the grid set to take on the brand-new MADRING circuit in Madrid for the first time. While F3 recently held an in-season test at the venue, the F2 grid will get its first taste of the new circuit during the race weekend itself next week.
“Overall, it’s an insane track. I think I looked at it and we looked at it with the team because F3 has obviously been there for the test. So it was really cool to see the track and to drive it in the sim.”, Inthraphuvasak said.
“I’m really excited for it. Yeah, it’s going to be a very, very challenging street circuit. So I’m really looking forward to it. It’s really amazing to drive in the sim. So I think for qualifying, it’s going to be really good. Let’s see how the racing goes.”
Ushering in a new era of Formula 2
This weekend marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Formula 2, with the next generation of cars set to make their debut in 2027 being unveiled on Saturday.
Echoing van Hoepen’s sentiments on the changes he would like to see introduced with the new cars, Inthraphuvasak said: “Yeah, similar to what Laurens said, I think they’ve changed the aero package to be very similar to F1. So really excited to see how it’s going to look. I think we’re going to see it on Saturday. So yeah, can’t wait to see.”
“And just one change that I think they’re also doing is putting a starter in the car, which is very good, because if, which I hope not, we get into an incident, we can start the car in the car.”
When asked by Pit Debrief what he has enjoyed most about driving the current generation of cars, the Thai driver explained: “Yeah, I mean, it’s a big step from F3. I think it’s much heavier and more aero and stuff. So I think the driving style has to be different. But I’ve enjoyed driving it so far. I think you’re able to be on the limit of this car and everyone is very close. The field is super tight. Everyone is on top of the car.”
