Invicta Racing delivered a commanding performance in Qualifying at the 2025 Hungarian GP, locking out the front row for the F2 Feature Race and becoming the first team to achieve a 1-2 in Qualifying since PREMA Racing did so at Spa-Francorchamps in 2023. Roman Staněk secured his maiden F2 Pole Position ahead of teammate and championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli, capping off a statement session for the team as the 2025 season edges toward its final stretch.
Staněk’s pole came with a time of 1:28.779, a lap that set the benchmark late in the session. Watching from the pitlane, the Czech driver could only wait as Fornaroli completed his final lap later than the rest of the field. The Italian crossed the line just 0.146s behind, securing second on the grid and completing a dream result for the Invicta squad.
Robinson hails “fantastic” team result
Team Principal James Robinson was effusive in his praise of both drivers after the F2 Qualifying session at the 2025 Hungarian GP, highlighting not only the performance but also the strategy and teamwork that made the result possible.
“It’s a great day for the team,” said Robinson. “Fantastic to have first and second. Both drivers did a brilliant job. We went for a different strategy, we put Leo on a slightly different plan to everyone else. Having a lap deleted for track limits at the end of the first run was not ideal, and maybe he was a little bit conservative on the second run, and then ultimately, the final lap as well, but both have done well in the end, so we take it.”
Invicta’s strategic flexibility helped Fornaroli recover after his first push lap was deleted for track limits. Despite that setback, the 20-year-old remained composed, delivering a strong final effort that slotted him into second behind his teammate.
“But it’s mega, it’s brilliant. This is a really important part of the season. We are coming to the end of a condensed patch of races and after this weekend we have the summer break and then we are into the home stretch of the season. So having a good weekend here is really important for momentum going into the summer break.”
Staněk’s progress rewarded with pole
For Staněk, the F2 pole position after a strong Qualifying at the 2025 Hungarian GP comes as confirmation of his development throughout the year. The Czech driver arrived in Budapest with growing momentum, having scored points in five of the last six races. His recent uptick included inheriting the win in the Spa Feature Race, just days after Fornaroli claimed the Sprint Race victory.
Robinson noted that Staněk’s improvement had been clear to the team for some time, pointing to the work ethic and intelligence that had built the foundation for his pole.
“Phenomenal,” said Robinson looking at Staněk’s performances. “We’ve been saying this all year. From the minute we started working with Roman, we saw the potential. His understanding of the car, his data literacy, the way he works with the engineers and the way he works with Leo is exemplary. He is a real team player, and he has a good understanding of how the car works. He knows how to optimise the setup, and he has been working well with his engineer. We knew it was only a matter of time before all these performances came in.”
Overcoming early-season frustrations
The 21-year-old’s season had not always been smooth. In the early rounds, flashes of speed were offset by inconsistency in races. Barcelona and Monaco, in particular, exposed areas for growth—but Staněk responded in exactly the way the team had hoped.
“Barcelona was a difficult Feature Race, he did a great Quali, but it was quite representative of where he was at that time of the season—flashes of excellence but things not going well in the race,” said Robinson.
“Monaco Qualifying, he did not put it together when it mattered. But he went away and did some work and since the Red Bull Ring, we are starting to see it come together. It wasn’t that he was rubbish in Barcelona and things started to come well, it was the result of a huge amount of work that he and people in the team have done to get here.”
The shift in form suggests that Staněk has moved into a new phase of his campaign—one marked by greater consistency, sharper execution, and a clearer understanding of how to extract the best from his package.
Fornaroli’s strategy shows composure
While Staněk’s pole was the headline, Fornaroli’s P2 in Qualifying at the 2025 Hungarian GP was equally critical for Invicta’s championship ambitions. The Italian ran a slightly different strategy from his teammate and the rest of the field, pushing late in the session after an early lap was deleted.
Despite the pressure, Fornaroli managed his final attempt with composure, avoiding further mistakes and delivering a lap that ensures he starts alongside his teammate—giving Invicta maximum opportunity to control the race.
Looking ahead to the races
With a front-row lockout secured, all eyes now turn to the two races ahead. The Sprint Race will see both drivers starting from the lower half of the top ten due to the reverse grid, while the Feature Race on Sunday offers a clear shot at a 1-2 finish—something the team hasn’t achieved in 2025 but now openly targets.
“I wish I had a crystal ball now and could tell you what happens on Sunday,” said Robinson. “It’s going to be dry tomorrow, so we will do the best we can from P9 and P10. Sunday, depending on what the weather does, it might be about keeping cool heads and making sure you make the right decisions, and making sure the drivers give each other enough room on track, and obviously we will do everything we can to ensure that it’s a 1-2.”
Managing both drivers through a long race, especially under pressure from title contenders behind, will require discipline and clear communication. However, if recent form is anything to go by, Invicta Racing arrive at this weekend fully prepared.
Momentum shifts toward Invicta
With just five rounds remaining in the championship, momentum is becoming a decisive factor. Invicta Racing’s 1-2 in F2 Qualifying at the 2025 Hungarian GP is not just a short-term victory—it sends a clear message to their rivals that the team is hitting its stride at the perfect moment.
For Staněk, this weekend offers the chance to validate his turnaround with a win. For Fornaroli, it could be the moment where his championship lead becomes unassailable. And for Invicta Racing, it’s an opportunity to convert raw pace into a double podium—or even a 1-2 finish that would define their 2025 campaign.
