Feature Race 2: P4 on the grid → P4

The final race of the 2026 FIA F3 season got under way at 9:45am on Sunday 13 September in dry conditions, with an ambient temperature of 20°C and a track temperature of 28°C. Starting from P4 on the grid, Kato held position through the opening lap. With overtaking difficult at Madring, the start represented one of the main opportunities to gain places, but there was little change among the frontrunners.

The field then remained tightly packed from the leading group through to the midfield, with gaps of less than one second between the cars. Kato also closed to within 0.3–0.5 seconds of the car in P3 as he waited for an opportunity to move up. On Lap 14, while running close behind the car ahead, Kato had a slight lock-up as he approached the 90-degree right-hander at Turn 17 from the gently curving Turn 16, but kept the car under control and retained P4.

A car stopped on track on Lap 17, bringing out the safety car (SC). The race restarted with one lap remaining, but there was no change in the order and Kato finished the final race of the season in P4.

Kato ended his maiden FIA F3 season with four podium finishes, including one victory, and eight points-scoring results from 19 races, scoring 105 points in total. He finished P4 in the Drivers’ Championship, just four points behind P3.

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