Taito Kato took a stunning Formula 3 pole position for the first Feature Race of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, with the Japanese driver finding confidence around the tricky Madring circuit.
Kato came into Madrid off the back of an impressive weekend in Monza with a podium and victory, pushing him to become the highest points scorer of the weekend.
The ART driver’s season has been up and down as he took an early podium in Melbourne only to struggle in and out of the points until Monza. However, the nature of Madrid played into Kato’s hands.
With the tight walls, many of the qualities transfer from one to the other. Kato was one of the few drivers who not only looked comfortable but also actively took risks around the blind corners and narrow streets of the Madring.
Speaking to the media, including Motorsport Week, about the session and taking his maiden pole position, Kato was elated.
“I’m feeling amazing.” He said. “My first-ever pole position in Formula 3. It was an amazing weekend in Monza and then back-to-back this weekend in Madrid.
“I think we have a good mindset, and the car was incredible during the qualifying and really fun to drive here in Madrid. Really close to the wall.
“I was pushed to the edge, you know. Like, sometimes I kissed the wall. Yeah, that was really good. Finally got pole position. I’m happy with it.”
An ‘enjoyable’ session for Kato
Motorsport Week asked Kato what it was about Madring that made Kato find the performance that so many other drivers struggled with. Even Kato’s earliest laps in qualifying would’ve been good enough for a top three start.
“I love the street circuit. I was driving in Macau last year, and the pace was very strong in Macau. That was the most popular street circuit, I would say. That helped me a lot with motoring. The motoring is really, really incredible to drive in the car.”
Beyond the results and the performance, he smiled and said that it was ‘fun’, and with each lap the Japanese driver was enjoying his time in the ART.
“Just fun to drive every lap, I would say. The cornering lap was a really good lap, to be honest. But it’s not enough to put pressure on Q2, so just congrats to the two cars. Every time, it was enjoyable to drive the car.”
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