All images ©: Dutch Photo Agency
A strong weekend at the Red Bull Ring saw Invicta Racing secure a podium in each of the Sprint and Feature Races, claiming 31 points in total.
Leonardo Fornaroli and Roman Staněk both had a strong Qualifying session, with Leonardo first after the opening runs.
Later in the session, Leonardo’s best lap saw him become the first repeat pole sitter of this year’s Formula 2 season. while Roman secured sixth – just 0.2s off the pole time.
2025 Formula 2 SPIELBERG Qualifying RESULTS
Leonardo Fornaroli: 1st (1:15.229)
Roman Stanek: 6th (1:15.431)
With a reversal of the top 10 in qualifying forming the grid for the Sprint Race, Leonardo started in tenth while Roman had a second row start in fourth.
Roman made up two places heading into the first corner before being re-passed for second at Turn 3 and immediately beginning to look for opportunities to make up more places.
Leonardo, meanwhile, had climbed three positions by the end of Lap 1 to sit seventh before a lengthy Red Flag period interrupted the race.
When the session got back underway behind the Safety Car, Roman remained third and Leonardo seventh – with the former setting his sights firmly on the battle for the lead midway through the race.
While holding off drivers behind, was looking for opportunities to claim second late on, but had to settle for the final spot on the podium – missing out by just 0.2s at the flag.
Leonardo, who had been running in the points positions throughout the race, unfortunately got caught in an incident between drivers ahead on the final lap and did not see the chequered flag as a result.
2025 Formula 2 SPIELBERG Sprint Race RESULTS
Roman Stanek: 3rd (7 points)
Leonardo Fornaroli: DNF (0 points)
In the 40-lap Feature Race, Leonardo and Roman started on the Supersoft compound tyre from first and sixth respectively.
Both drivers had strong starts, with Leonardo defending brilliantly to hold his lead and Roman gaining two places by the end of the first lap.
At the end of Lap 7, Roman made a pit stop for Soft tyres, along with several of the other Supersoft runners.
Leonardo went a lap longer on his Supersofts, pitting at the end of Lap 8 and unfortunately dropping two places to rivals successfully executing the undercut.
Leonardo initially struggled for grip on the new tyres as he sought to generate temperature in the early laps following his stop, allowing two more drivers to overtake.
Over the next few laps, Leonardo worked on regaining positions and by the midway point in the race was up to P9, with several runners ahead yet to make their stops.
Roman, meanwhile, was circulating in 12th until all drivers on the opposite strategy had made their pit stops, at which point he moved up to eighth and Leonardo fourth.
In the last ten laps, Leonardo was eyeing the podium positions in a three-way battle between himself, Pepe Martí and Victor Martins.
Though Leonardo sat fifth in the closing stages, he successfully took advantage of contact between Martí and Martins ahead to sweep past both and claim the final podium spot.
Later in the day, post-race penalties resulted in a promotion for both drivers, with Leonardo moving up to second and Roman eighth, securing 24 points in total for the team from the Feature Race.
2025 Formula 2 SPIELBERG FEATURE Race RESULTS
Leonardo Fornaroli: 2nd (20 points)
Roman Stanek: 8th (4 points)
LEONARDO FORNAROLI
“It’s been an intense weekend. Securing pole in Qualifying and then having a tough end to the Sprint Race was a mixed start. Then, starting from pole in the Feature Race, I had a strong opening stint but lost ground after the pit stop. Struggling with grip cost me a few positions, but I kept pushing and managed to get back to the podium after some tough battles. It’s great to end the weekend on a high.”
READ MORE: Getting to know Leonardo Fornaroli
ROMAN STANEK
“This weekend has been a good step forward for me. It felt amazing to get my first podium of the season in the Sprint Race. I’m proud of how we managed the race, and I felt like I had the pace to take second place too. The Feature Race was more challenging, but scoring points in both races shows progress. I’m excited to carry this momentum into Silverstone.”
READ MORE: Getting to know Roman Stanek
JAMES ROBINSON, TEAM PRINCIPAL
“I’m proud of what we achieved this weekend. With two podium finishes and 31 points, it’s the most we’ve scored from a single weekend so far this season. Leonardo’s brilliant recovery to claim P2 in the Feature Race and Roman’s first podium of the season in the Sprint highlight the potential of both drivers. It’s a great team result, and we’ll use the information we’ve learnt over the weekend to prepare us for Silverstone.”
READ MORE: Getting to know James Robinson
2025 Formula 2 STANDINGS
Invicta Racing: 5th (109 points)
Leonardo Fornaroli: 4th (86 points)
Roman Stanek: 11th (23 points)
READ MORE: See the full FIA Formula 2 2025 Standings
CIRCUIT: SILVERSTONE
ROUND: 8
DATE: 4-6 JULY
READ MORE: Where to watch F2 in 2025
