Interview
Le eyeing improvements with ART showing they can ‘fight for podiums’
Kanato Le says he has to improve mentally going forwards to be fighting at the front, with ART Grand Prix already showing their potential in Melbourne.
While both of Le’s teammates, Maciej Gladysz and Taito Kato were fighting at the front – the latter even finishing third in the Feature Race – the Japanese driver was towards the back.
Le qualified in 27th and finished the Sprint in P28 before ultimately retiring with damage in the Feature. Since then the 18-year-old and the French team have been debriefing and preparing for the upcoming rounds.
“Obviously for me it wasn't a good weekend, but for the team overall it was really good,” said Le. “I know the car has the potential to be in the top five and on the podium.
“Looking over everything there's bits and pieces I need to improve, especially mentally. Obviously, it was my first F3 weekend and I maybe got a bit overwhelmed, and by the end I've overdone it.
“So I know what's it like now and I'm just looking forward to getting back in Monaco.”
The Spielberg in-season test will give Le a chance to get back into the swing of things before a first trip to Monte Carlo.
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“I think obviously it's been a long break since the last time I drove the F3 car,” continued Le. “So it's pretty important to be able to drive it just before the next race weekend.
“It's going be a crucial two days to just get back into it and to be prepared for Monaco. I think it's going to be super exciting, Monaco's one of the tracks I think everyone wants to drive.
“I think being able to drive there is going to be an awesome experience and it’s a street track as well, so it's going to be it's quite tight, but I'm really looking forward to it.”
Monaco is the start of the busiest part of the season with six rounds in eight weeks, and after a long break, Le says it will be a welcome change to be back racing consistently and to hopefully be fighting for points.
“I think it's going to be a busy two months, a few weeks of racing,” added Le. “I definitely prefer racing for consecutive weeks than having this two-month break.
“So it's going to be super exciting but also going to be quite tough as well. I just need to focus on the races, just one at a time and just do the best I can.
“I mean the pace is definitely there, so I think I just need to do some bits from my side and I think I would definitely be fighting for the points.”