ART Grand Prix has officially confirmed Taito Kato’s signing for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season, completing their driver line-up for next year. The young Japanese talent will make his debut in the highly competitive F3 category, alongside fellow rookies Kanato Le and Maciej Gladysz. With the confirmation of this exciting trio, ART Grand Prix will look to make their mark in the 2026 season.
A rising star in motorsport
Born on 25th November 2007 in Taki, Mie, Japan, Taito Kato’s rise through the motorsport ranks has been nothing short of rapid. Initially, he made his mark in karting, but it was his transition into single-seater racing that truly showcased his potential. Supported by the Honda Formula Dream Project, Kato’s natural talent, combined with relentless hard work, quickly caught the attention of the motorsport world.
In 2024, Kato took the next step by competing in the French F4 Championship. He wasted no time in asserting himself, clinching the title with an impressive five wins. His remarkable consistency, coupled with a competitive edge, enabled him to secure the championship after a season-long battle with Belgian driver Yani Stevenheydens. Despite a controversial finish to the season, Kato’s resilience and mental toughness were key to his success. Thus, he demonstrated not only his driving ability but also his capacity to handle high-pressure situations.
Strong foundations in Formula Regional
After a successful year in French F4, Kato made the leap to the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) in 2025 with ART Grand Prix . This was a significant step up, and Kato faced a steep learning curve as he adapted to the competitive nature of the series. Nevertheless, his progress was undeniable. Throughout the season, Kato secured two podium finishes and five top-five results, which demonstrated both his raw pace and consistency in a highly competitive field.
In particular, his performances earned him seventh place in the overall standings, a highly respectable result for a rookie driver. Furthermore, Kato’s adaptability stood out as he integrated seamlessly into the ART Grand Prix team.
Team Principal Sébastien Philippe expressed high hopes for the young driver, noting his adaptability and discipline as standout qualities.
“Taito integrated perfectly into the team this season in FRECA,” Philippe said. “He showed strong adaptability, great discipline, and a lot of potential that is just waiting to be fully expressed at the highest level.”
A promising step up to FIA F3
Looking ahead, Kato is set to make another significant step in his career as he joins ART Grand Prix for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. This move represents a natural progression for the Japanese driver, who will be looking to build on his previous experiences in Formula 4 and Formula Regional racing.
“I’m really thrilled to be driving for ART GP in F3 next year and to be driving with the same team as I did in FRECA,” said Kato. The team’s continued faith in him underscores their belief in his long-term potential.
With the addition of Kato, ART’s 2026 F3 line-up is shaping up to be a formidable one. His teammates, Kanato Le and Maciej Gładysz, are also rookies, making this season a key development period for all three drivers.
