The 2024 FIA Formula 2 season was a rollercoaster for Trident’s Roman Staněk. Though he claimed victory in the 2024 Melbourne F2 round and took points in Imola and Silverstone, he struggled significantly for most of the season. These struggles, plus budgetary constraints, saw him part ways with Trident after a disappointing Monza round.
Staněk suffers unfortunate start 2024 F2 season
Despite some uncertainty over his future in motorsport, in January 2024, Trident announced that they would retain the Czech driver for a third consecutive campaign. However, despite his ambitions, Staněk would face multiple challenges.
The first of many disappointments came during the season opener in Bahrain. After a disappointing qualifying, which saw him qualify P20, Staněk retired in Lap 19 of the sprint race due to mechanical issues. He later finished P13 in the feature race which saw the early retirement of six other competitors.
This poor luck continued in Saudi Arabia where, after qualifying P11, he was disqualified from the sprint race, due to a technical infringement related to the installation of an incorrect throttle pedal progressivity map. During Sunday’s race, he was unable to compete after stalling at the start of the race.
Staněk claims victory in Melbourne
After bitter disappointment in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Staněk enjoyed a stroke of better fortune in Australia. After a strong Friday performance, the Czech driver qualified P10. This earned him a start from pole for Saturday’s sprint race. He capitalised on this to take the first victory of his F2 career. Unfortunately, he could not repeat this performance during Sunday’s feature race and finished P15, despite starting P10.
While Staněk would score points during the sprint races in Imola and Silverstone, his victory in Melbourne would prove the highlight of his season.
Staněk’s 2024 F2 season comes to an early end
After another disappointing weekend in Monza, Staněk announced that he would be parting ways with Trident, citing unsatisfactory equipment and a lack of budget as the reasons for his departure. With three rounds left before the end of the 2024 F2 season, Staněk was replaced by Christian Mansell who had finished fifth in the 2024 F3 drivers’ championship with ART Grand Prix.
However, despite what seemed like the end of his F2 journey, Staněk’s fortunes turned when Invicta Racing announced that he would join their team for 2025, partnering with the 2024 F3 champion Leonardo Fornaroli.
Staněk’s 2024 season a mirror of his F3 career
Despite the disappointing 2024 season, Staněk can look to his time in F3 as inspiration. He showed steady improvement throughout his F3 career. In his final F3 season with Trident, he emerged as a title contender, securing multiple podiums and a victory at Imola.
Invicta Racing, which enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign, may prove an excellent fit for Staněk. Both he and the team are aiming high, determined to build on last season’s success.
“The team has been fighting at the front of the field all season, achieved some really great results, and is undoubtedly one of the most desirable options in the paddock for next year. That means there’ll be some pressure for Leonardo and me, but I think we’re up to the challenge.“
I’m ready for whatever F2 throws at me in 2025,” said an enthusiastic Staněk.
