Leonardo Fornaroli didn’t scream across the line. But inside the Invicta Racing garage, there was no holding back. His first ever Formula 2 win and one that’s been coming for a while; finally landed at Silverstone in Saturday’s Sprint. If that wasn’t enough for the team in yellow, Roman Stanek sealed the day with a P3 finish, giving Invicta its first double podium of the season.
“The First One Is Always Special” – Fornaroli Feels the Release
After months of knocking on the door, Fornaroli finally kicked it down.
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Speaking to EverythingF1 post-race, he was measured but beaming:
“I’ve been waiting for this for quite a long time and to do it here at Silverstone, with such a strong car, it’s just amazing.”
This wasn’t a chaotic race win. There were no retirements or freak weather to help him. It was pure execution: Reverse top ten Pole he got a strong launch, and clean, controlled pace throughout. But Fornaroli admitted the conditions kept him guessing.
“The wind was strong in the high-speed corners, which made it tricky to keep the balance, especially with Montoya close behind. But I managed the tyres well, and when I saw the laps ticking down, I just stayed focused.”
He’d led from start to finish but it still took a few minutes post-race for it all to sink in.
“Crossing the line, there was silence in my helmet. I was just thinking: finally. We’ve had pace all year, but now we’ve converted it. The first one is always special.”
And when asked if this lifts pressure heading into Sunday’s feature race?
“Yes and no. It’s nice to win, but now I want more. I think we can do it again.”
“That One Felt Good” Stanek Delivers Again with P3
Roman Stanek’s drive might not have grabbed headlines, but it absolutely deserved them. Starting fifth, he kept his nose clean early on, then picked off Kush Maini with a sharp move around the outside of Stowe with just a couple of laps remaining.
“I was stuck behind him for ages,” Stanek told EverythingF1. “He was defending hard; maybe a little too hard. But I stayed patient. Then when I saw the gap, I sent it around the outside. That one felt good.”
It’s Stanek’s second podium of the season and another clear marker of how much stronger he’s become in 2025. Consistency, tyre management, race-craft, it’s all adding up.
“We’ve worked a lot behind the scenes. The team has helped me massively, not just with the car but in understanding how to build a race weekend properly. This is the result of that work.”
There was a brief stewards’ investigation post-race, following the contact with Maini but Stanek was always confident there was nothing to worry about:
“I was ahead at the apex. There was some rubbing, but that’s racing. No drama.”
Invicta Racing: A Team Finding Its Groove
This double podium was more than just a good day at the office — it felt like the moment Invicta cemented itself as a real force in the F2 midfield.
- Fornaroli’s win proves he can close the deal.
- Stanek’s podium shows he’s maturing at pace.
- Both cars looked balanced, quick, and composed under pressure.
Even more telling? Neither driver seemed surprised. Happy, yes. But surprised? No.
“We’ve known for a while the pace is there,” Fornaroli told us. “Now the results are starting to show it.”
Looking Ahead: Can They Repeat on Sunday?
Both drivers will start down the order in the feature race, but the confidence is clear.
Stanek:
“We’ve got good long-run pace. If we get strategy right, there’s more to come.”
Fornaroli:
“This win gives us momentum. But we go again tomorrow. Nothing’s finished.”
Invicta Racing Silverstone Sprint Featured Image Courtesy of Invicta Racing
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