Nearly a month after his last outing in Jeddah, Invicta Racing’s Roman Staněk returns to action for the 2025 FIA F2 round at Imola. Speaking to the media, including Pit Debrief, during a virtual press session, the Czech driver emphasised the importance of launching the European triple-header – which includes Imola, Monaco, and Barcelona – with a strong result.
Starting the triple-header “on the right foot”
“First of all, I think it is going to be very important now to start on the right foot because it is a triple-header,” Staněk explained. “So we have Imola, Monaco and Barcelona. As for the mindset, it will be very important to start as high as possible.”
Although he underscored the significance of mental preparation, Staněk insisted that Invicta Racing had not altered their approach to accommodate the packed schedule. Instead, he praised the team’s consistent and methodical structure.
“I would say the preparation for every weekend is very important,” he stated. “There has not been anything we have changed. The preparation for every race so far was the same. And the Invicta guys are doing a very good job. So I am very happy about that.”
He added, “For every race you try to prepare in the best way possible.”
Avoiding burnout in a demanding schedule
When asked by Pit Debrief how he intends to combat burnout across the demanding triple-header, Staněk acknowledged the toll of relentless travel, simulator work, and physical training.
“Yes, avoiding the burnout, you have to try to avoid it in the best way possible because with so much travelling, with the simulator sessions… I live in Italy, we have to travel all around Europe to prepare for the races. Then you have to train. And as a Formula 2 driver myself, I train at least five times a week. I love cycling. I go to the gym. You have to train mentally.”
He stressed the value of recovery, noting that pushing too hard without balance may jeopardise long-term performance.
“What you take from the body on a racetrack, you have to give it back. You have to recover as hard as possible in order to always be on your best level of performance. Otherwise, if you just keep going and just hunt, it can be good for the short term, but for the long term, you are going to burn yourself.”
“I think that is very important, to take it easy when you have to take it easy, but push when you have to push. And not waste your energy doing stupid stuff.”
Aiming for a clean weekend after disappointment in Jeddah
Reflecting on his recent outings, Staněk admitted he is eager to piece together a clean, trouble-free weekend—something that has eluded him thus far this season. In particular, he cited a costly qualifying error in Jeddah that set the tone for a difficult round.
“What I would like to improve is to put a good race weekend together because there has always been something in the races or with the tyre degradation or also in the qualifying in Jeddah, for example.”
“I had very good speed in Jeddah in pre-practice and also in the first part of Quali, but then unfortunately, I touched the wall and I lost a lot of confidence. My steering wheel was not straight. Then I started quite backward and then obviously with such a high level in Formula 2—because the level is very, very high. Some people do not realise how high it is—it was quite hard for me to move forward.”
“So, yes, just to have a clean weekend.”
Carrying forward positives despite a challenging start
Despite the challenges faced, Staněk remains optimistic. He believes that his overall performance has been stronger than the results suggest and points to the support of Invicta Racing as a key positive.
“The positive aspects, as I said, I am very happy about the team that I have around me because the guys here are pushing me forward. They have been very supportive.”
“Also, overall, with my performance, maybe the result does not show it so good, but as I said, I just need one good, clean weekend to show the proper speed.”
Tyre degradation and hot weather could add spice to the Imola F2 Round
Looking ahead to the Imola round, Staněk anticipates an exciting race weekend due to the combination of soft compound tyres and high track temperatures.
“I think it will make the races much more attractive for the spectators, first of all, because we will be tagging a lot more, especially with the hot conditions and there is no rain expected for this weekend. I think it will be also tricky for us as drivers to manage the tyres.”
He noted the thrill of pushing on the softest rubber in qualifying conditions.
“In the Qualifying, it is always good to have super soft tyres because you really go all in on the push lap and the car feels very fast. And then in the races, it is the same. You have to manage the tyres and, yes, hope for a good car, hope that you wake up good and you have a good day.”
“So, yes, it is going to be an interesting race.”
Embracing change and settling in at Invicta Racing
Staněk believes that his move from Trident to Invicta Racing has brought a welcome change. The shift to an English-based team has introduced a new working culture that he feels has revitalised him.
“Obviously, it is a different bunch of people, different mentalities. It is an English team compared to Italian, so I think that is the biggest thing. And as I said, I am very happy about how Invicta has been with me. They have been very supportive and very nice. I do not want to say Trident was not. They were also very nice with me. But it is just sometimes, because I was in Trident in Formula 3 and then one and a half to two years almost in Formula 2, and sometimes it is good to change, you know, just for your mind, the workspace where you are.”
The adjustment to the team has also helped him adapt to their setup philosophies and overall race operations.
“And regarding the car, obviously every team has their own philosophy of the setup, and you can feel as a driver any minor change of the setup. So, yes, the cars feel different. Also in the way how we warm up the tyres, how we deal with the traffic on track and how we prepare for every race. So, yes, it is interesting, you know, and it is good to see how overall—because in F3 and F2 I have spent already quite some time—it is very nice to see how the sport is moving forward in terms of the performance, in terms of every little detail.”
He concluded, “So I really enjoy it.”
Making the most of Imola – possibly for the last time
With uncertainty surrounding the future of Imola on the F1, and subsequently, F2 and F3 calendars, Staněk acknowledged that this weekend could be his final competitive appearance at the historic circuit. He previously won at the track during his time in Formula 3 and holds it in high regard.
“Yes, to be honest, Imola is a track with a lot of history and I do not know why they want to remove it or… I do not know, there are rumours, maybe they will extend the contract, I do not know.”
However, he stressed that he prefers to stay present-focused rather than dwell on what the future may or may not hold.
“But it depends how you look on it, because in anything that you do in life, you want to do it at your best, same as with this race. It might be the last race in Imola for the next 100 years or it might be the last race forever.”
“I am just going to enjoy the moment as I do with everything, because you never know what is coming tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow I am going on the track with my car and someone crashes into me and I will not be here.”
“So, yes, just enjoy every day and do your best and enjoy that we are here in the beautiful Imola with the sunny weather. I can drink a coffee in the morning, espresso, and eat a good pasta.”
Pole position award adds incentive
Finally, with F2 and F3 having introduced a new award for pole position this season, Staněk sees it as a welcome addition to motivate drivers further during qualifying.
“It is something extra to make the series a bit more interesting, but also for the drivers, I think it is a bit more motivating to try and deliver the best in the qualifying, which we already do, but something extra for it is always good. I am very happy they actually introduced it. It is going to be good, and I hope I can have some of them.”
As the 2025 Imola Formula 2 round approaches, Roman Staněk enters with a clear focus: to put together a clean and composed weekend and build momentum for the triple-header ahead. With confidence in his team, belief in his preparation, and a renewed mindset, the Invicta Racing driver remains determined to convert potential into performance—on a circuit he may not race at again.
