The 16-year-old American, competing with Griffin Core by Campos, was the benchmark of the weekend in qualifying. He claimed both pole positions — the first on a dry track, the second on a wet surface — demonstrating a level of adaptability that goes well beyond raw pace. Performing consistently across contrasting conditions is one of the clearest indicators of a driver's overall quality at this stage of a career, and Kanthan delivered on both counts.
On track, his race pace matched his qualifying speed. Despite a post-race penalty in Race 1 that altered the final classification, Kanthan responded with a composed and controlled victory in Race 3, leading from pole to the chequered flag and managing pressure from behind throughout.
It is a strong opening statement for a driver entering his second season in Spanish F4. In 2025, Kanthan steadily built his presence in the championship, finishing ninth overall and third in the rookie standings, with a second-place finish at the Barcelona finale signalling what was to come. The progression has been deliberate and consistent.
Valencia offered the first chapter of what promises to be a competitive campaign. The speed is clearly there. The next step will be converting that pace into a full points haul when the championship resumes at Portimão in June.