‘It’s a dream come true’ – Gladysz excited for 2026 step up to ‘iconic’ F3

Maciej Gladysz is keen to not put too much pressure on himself heading into his rookie Formula 3 season, but does feel a strong winter of preparation has put him in good stead for the campaign.

The ART Grand Prix driver is getting set for his third year in single seater racing, boasting a strong record of his own.

Gladysz finished third in both the 2024 Formula Winter Series and Spanish F4 categories, before winning the 2025 Eurocup-3 Spanish Winter Championship.

The 17-year-old is now preparing himself for the next step in his career and says he is happy to be racing against such a quality field.

“I'm feeling quite good,” started Gladysz. “I'm happy to be racing in this iconic championship, it's a dream come true to be racing against such talented drivers and racing in a really amazing team, ART Grand Prix.

“I'm really looking forward to Australia, which is obviously soon. It will be my first time in this country, my first time on this track, so I'm really looking forward.

“Let's see how it goes, but for now I'll try to enjoy it as much as I can, and I’ll try not to put pressure on myself, and then let's see how it goes.”

Gladysz is feeling very upbeat about his own personal performance heading to Melbourne, and during pre-season testing showed good pace to finish fourth on the timesheets when times were at their quickest on Day 2.

Prior to the three days of official running in Barcelona, he explained what he had been doing over the winter to be ready.

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“I've done lots of sim racing, mental training, physical training and I worked on the simulators, so I feel quite confident before the season,” said Gladysz. “I've done a bit of tests.

“I also tested the old car and I feel quite good. We were quite strong in the long runs and quali sims, so I'm feeling quite good.

“I think the break was a bit too long. The last time I was in the car was two months ago, so my first time going out on track was a bit weird.

“I didn't remember how the brakes feel, so the first time I went out, the brakes felt super hard and I actually missed the corner, but at least there is no gravel.

“But the rest felt quite okay. I adapted quite quickly after that, and we improved a lot during the test, but now the official test, different cars, so let's see how it goes.”

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Gladysz feels he and ART have a good car setup for Melbourne, believing they have improved both in their Qualifying and race pace.

“I feel quite good,” he continued. “I think we, as a team, have a really good car. We will try to give our best in Melbourne, but the season is obviously long, so it's better to improve round by round or already be on it from the first round.”

Looking ahead to the season, Gladysz revealed which race weekends he is looking forward to the most.

“I would say maybe Barcelona and Melbourne. Melbourne, it’s first time in this country, so I want to see the culture, how it is there, and the track as well.

“It will be my first time at a street track, it is basically half a street track, but the first time at this track will be a super good feeling.”