Ahead of the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season opener in Melbourne, Invicta Racing’s Leonardo Fornaroli spoke to the media, including Pit Debrief, about his preparation and expectations for his F2 rookie season.
Fornaroli hoping for a good weekend at “favourite” track
After a disappointing debut in the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, Fornaroli is excited to return to the track that he loves. Having enjoyed much success at the Albert Park circuit, Fornaroli hopes for a similarly good 2025 F2 weekend.
“The Australian Grand Prix was the opening round for Formula 1 for lots of times. So to be back here for the first round, it’s amazing.”
“I love Australia. I love the track. It’s one of my favourite tracks. We have good memories in both years [in] Formula 3.”
“So we can have a good weekend this year as well.”
He goes into his weekend with “positive feelings” though he knows that there are some things that he will need to improve before he takes to the track. While he acknowledged his inexperience in F2, Fornaroli hopes to have a good weekend with his team.
“So positive feelings. Still some things to improve for me. This is my first year in F2, but I hope we have a good weekend.”
“Just focus on yourself”—Fornaroli
Paired with the experienced Victor Martins for the event, Fornaroli was asked if he had any advice that he could share with the F2 veteran, despite the latter’s experience.
Though he acknowledged that it would be difficult to advise the more experienced driver, Fornaroli, in responding to the question from Pit Debrief, recommended that Martins, like all racing drivers, focus on himself, and on his strong points.
“I mean, it’s difficult for me to give [Martins] advice. But also, watching from my last year in F3, where I was the experienced guy, I just don’t think too much about the points and don’t listen to all the people outside that are talking.”
“Just focus on yourself, bring good points, be consistent” Fornaroli advised.
“I think you’re [in] a really good spot this year. It will be tough to stay in front of you,” the Italian driver told Martins.
Clean slate and new beginnings
Having graduated from F3, F2 is a new challenge for the Italian driver, especially with him switching from the Italian Trident team to the British Invicta Racing. Despite this change, Fornaroli does not feel any additional pressure on him.
“It doesn’t put any pressure [on me] at all.
Instead, his move to Invicta Racing motivates him to fight for good results. Though he admits to having been scared about the transition, Fornaroli believes that he has settled in well, and is looking forward to starting the season with them.
“It gives me even more motivation because I know that the package for this year is really good, I’m in the car that won the championship last year,
“Speaking about the team, I was a bit scared about the English mentality, which is completely different to the Italian one, but I’m feeling super well with the team.”
Fornaroli hoping for an “amazing season” with teammate Staněk
In addition to adjusting to a new team, Fornaroli will have to adjust to a new teammate, as he partners with Roman Staněk who joins Invicta after two disappointing seasons with Trident.
The Italian driver is excited to team up with Staněk, who he described as a “super nice guy.”
“So thinking about Roman, for me, it’s amazing to be teammates with him this year. We [have known] each other since three years [ago] when he was in Formula 3 and I was in Formula Regional.”
He explained that Staněk had been sharing his experience, and stated that he felt that they had developed a strong bond.
“He has a lot of experience, especially in Formula 2. So he’s already teaching me a lot of things and I’m feeling really, really good with him and I hope we can have an amazing season.”
The road ahead
With the 2025 Melbourne round set to get underway this weekend, Fornaroli admits that it is hard to predict his performance. While responding to a question from Pit Debrief, he noted his inexperience in the series and stated that he aimed to perform well, even if he could not secure the title in his rookie year.
“It’s hard to say because it’s the first race of the season. It’s my first season in F2, so no, I will be happy if I will just do my things without any bad mistakes and do all the steps right.”
“If I do this,” he said, “I’m sure it will be a good weekend.”
