A demanding winter of work behind the scenes and competitive racing in New Zealand has reignited self-belief for Kanato Le ahead of his graduation to F3 in 2026 with ART Grand Prix.
After joining forces last season in Formula Regional competition, Le and ART now strengthen their partnership on a bigger stage. The move to F3 marks a significant step in the Japanese driver’s career, placing him on the support bill of Formula 1 and under far greater scrutiny. However, rather than feeling pressure, Le carries renewed assurance into the new campaign.
“I’m feeling good” – Le on targeting the 2026 F3 campaign with ART
Stepping up to F3 represents both opportunity and responsibility. The championship forms a crucial rung on the single-seater ladder, and success often shapes a driver’s long-term trajectory. For Le, the prospect excites rather than intimidates.
“I’m feeling good, I am really looking forward to racing in F3,” said Le to Formula 3 ahead of the season opener in Melbourne. “It’s one of the steps you to get to F1 and being on the big stage with F1 is really exciting. Racing with ART as well, I know the team and I have a good relationship with them.
“I’m really looking forward to it. Also, the grid is very competitive, so I’m looking forward to racing as well. I think it should be a really nice year.”
Winter mileage maintains momentum
Importantly, Le refused to let momentum fade after the 2025 season concluded. He participated in post-season F3 tests at Jerez, Barcelona and Imola, using those sessions to understand the car’s characteristics and refine his technical feedback. He treated each outing as an opportunity to strengthen communication with his engineers and sharpen his approach to tyre preparation and long-run management.
However, he also recognised the limitations of testing. While those sessions offered valuable data, they could not replicate the intensity of race weekends or the pressure of qualifying against direct rivals.
Consequently, he travelled to New Zealand to contest the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), where he faced several drivers who will also line up on the 2026 F3 grid. That competitive winter environment provided not only race starts but also intense qualifying battles. Each weekend demanded rapid adaptation, disciplined execution and mental resilience.
Reflecting on that period, Le explained how much he developed in a short space of time.
“It has been a few months since the post-season test,” explained Le. “Looking back, I think in these short few months, I was able to be better as a person and driver with all the experience I got.
Le on CTFROT sharpening race readiness ahead of 2026 F3 campaign with ART
His time in CTFROT centred on personal growth as much as performance. The winter forced him to evaluate his previous campaign and return with greater maturity and clarity.
“Obviously, during the winter break you have no chance to drive any car. So it was nice getting back into racing and qualifying against some of the F3 drivers that I’m racing against this year. So for that, I think it has been a really good start of the year.
Beyond seat time, the level of competition elevated the value of the campaign. Every Qualifying session demanded precision, and every race required measured aggression. As a result, Le gradually rebuilt the belief that had taken a knock during a difficult previous season.
“Four weeks of racing against a competitive grid as well. I think I was able to gain some confidence, and I also got to know some of the drivers as well that I’m racing.
He continued, “I had a really good campaign in the championship, scored some podiums and got a win as well against these very top-level drivers. I had been a confidence boost after quite a hard season last year. I gained my confidence back.
He concluded, “I know I can be able to fight for the wins with these really good drivers.”
Thus, the New Zealand stint confirmed that he can compete at the front against high-calibre opposition and translate preparation into results. Crucially, it also ensured that he arrives on the 2026 F3 grid not searching for confidence, but carrying it.
CTFROT an opportunity to learn to adapt under pressure
While results mattered, Le approached the New Zealand campaign with a broader objective. F3 weekends allow only a single 45-minute Free Practice session before Qualifying. Drivers must therefore learn circuits rapidly and extract performance almost immediately. He used every unfamiliar track in New Zealand as preparation for that format.
“I think obviously in New Zealand, every single track was new to me,” he explained. “I think the main focus was obviously for F3, there’s only one Practice. The main focus was to adapt really quickly and try to be as quick as possible.
“I think I was able to do that for all four tracks and that gives me confidence that I can also do it in an F3. It was a really good preparation.”
Le on final preparations ahead of 2026 F3 Melbourne debut with ART
Pre-season testing in Barcelona has already offered further encouragement. During qualifying simulation runs on the morning of Day 2, Le placed seventh fastest, signalling promising one-lap speed against a highly competitive field.
Nevertheless, he refuses to rely solely on winter form. Instead, he concentrates on process, preparation and enjoyment as Round 1 in Melbourne approaches.
“Obviously, I need to go through all the plans and get all the data possible,” said Le ahead of Round 1 in Melbourne. Also, I need to learn the car again and gain some confidence back in the F3 car. Then I can just start preparing for Melbourne, but I think enjoying it is the main thing.”
That balanced mindset could prove decisive. As a result, he enters his rookie F3 season with restored confidence, strong winter mileage and a stable partnership with ART Grand Prix. If he translates that preparation into early results, he may quickly establish himself as one of 2026’s most compelling new contenders.
