Shanghai marked a mixed debut for ART Grand Prix in the 2026 F1 Academy season, a reality underscored by team manager Pierre Soullier’s assessment: “We’re missing a bit of aggression.” While Lisa Billard secured seven points for the team, capitalizing on her experience from a Wild Card appearance in Singapore last year, rookie drivers Kaylee Countryman and Jade Jacquet faced challenges adapting to the pressure and pace of the series. The weekend highlighted the complexities of fielding an entirely new driver lineup, a situation Soullier acknowledges requires patience and focused development. The team’s performance in Shanghai sets the stage for a crucial period of reflection and refinement ahead of the next race in Montreal.
Billard’s weekend wasn’t without its hurdles. Starting third in Race 1 after qualifying sixth, she ultimately finished eighth. Race 2 saw a seventh-place finish. Despite not reaching the podium, her consistent battles demonstrated a promising foundation, particularly in qualifying where ART Grand Prix showed competitive pace. However, Soullier pinpointed starts as a key area for improvement. “On Lisa’s side, we still have a lot of work to do in the races, especially on the starts,” he explained. “It was better in Race 2 but the start is still tricky.”
Rookie Struggles and the Pressure of Competition
The challenges faced by Countryman and Jacquet were more pronounced. Neither driver qualified within the top ten, with Countryman experiencing a technical issue during qualifying that forced her to stop on track. The pressure of the environment – the increased media attention and competitive field – appeared to weigh heavily on both newcomers. Jacquet’s weekend took a further downturn in Race 2 when a collision with Esmee Kosterman resulted in a five-place grid drop for the Montreal round, according to F1 Academy’s official website.
Soullier emphasized the need for both drivers to develop their ability to manage pressure. “Regarding Jade and Kaylee, they have to know how to manage the pressure more as it’s a new environment for them with a lot of people and a lot of media,” he said. “They are going to do very good things but due to this lack of experience regarding the environment and pressure, it’s playing on them a lot.” He acknowledged Jacquet was particularly affected, stating she was “really under pressure” and needed to improve in that area.
The Search for Aggression and Racecraft
Beyond managing pressure, Soullier identified a need for greater “aggression” from his drivers, particularly in race situations. While acknowledging Jacquet’s attempt to be more assertive in Race 2 – despite the resulting collision – he felt it was a case of overcorrection. “We wanted to see more aggression – this time it was a bit too much,” he stated. “Next time we’ll come back stronger.” This pursuit of a more competitive edge will be a key focus during the two-month break before the next race.
The team’s assessment of Countryman’s performance centered on a lack of experience. “In the races, Kaylee does not have much experience so she’s learning a lot,” Soullier explained. “Race 1 was not lousy for Jade.” He remained optimistic about both drivers’ potential, emphasizing the importance of providing a supportive environment for their development. The team’s approach will be to foster a space where they can focus on improving their racecraft and building confidence.
Looking Ahead to Montreal and Long-Term Goals
With a significant gap between races, ART Grand Prix has ample time to analyze the data from Shanghai and implement targeted improvements. Soullier emphasized the importance of increasing mileage for all three drivers, believing that more track time will be crucial for their development. “Our drivers don’t have that much mileage so lap after lap, test after test, it will get better,” he said.
The team’s ambitions for the season are clear. For Billard, the goal is consistent top-five finishes, with a push for podiums by the end of the year. For Countryman and Jacquet, the initial focus will be on consistently breaking into the top ten. “If we are able to bring them into the top 10 quite consistently, it will at least be a good job,” Soullier stated. He reiterated the team’s commitment to providing a “healthy environment” to support their drivers’ progress.
The F1 Academy season is still in its early stages, and the competitive landscape is rapidly evolving. Campos Racing’s strong performance in Shanghai, as highlighted by team principal Philippe Parra, demonstrates the potential for rapid gains, as reported by F1 Academy. ART Grand Prix will be looking to build on Billard’s points-scoring performance and unlock the potential of its rookie drivers as the season progresses.
The next opportunity for ART Grand Prix to demonstrate its progress will come in Montreal, where the team will aim to translate its analysis and development work into tangible results on the track. The focus will be on refining starts, fostering a more assertive racecraft, and ensuring that all three drivers are equipped to compete at their full potential.
What are your thoughts on ART Grand Prix’s performance in Shanghai? Share your opinions and predictions for the season in the comments below.
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