After an impressive 2024 season, reigning FIA Formula 3 champion, Leonardo Fornaroli steps up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing. The 20-year-old, who made his F2 debut in Abu Dhabi last year, will partner with F2 veteran Roman Staněk who joins Invicta Racing after two turbulent F2 seasons at Trident.
With an all-new line-up of Fornaroli and Staněk, Invicta Racing will be keen to see if they can replicate their 2024 success. The British-based team finished top of the team’s championship last year, with rookie Gabriel Bortoleto taking the drivers’ championship. Bortoleto, who also won the 2023 F3 championship, will now compete in F1 with the Stake F1 Team.
Fornaroli not setting “crazy goals” for rookie F2 season
However, Fornaroli’s primary aim for his F2 debut season is not to replicate Bortoleto’s success, or that of McLaren F1 Team’s Oscar Piastri, who is the only driver to win the Formula Renault, F3 and F2 championships in consecutive years. He explained to select media, including Pit Debrief, that his aim for the season was to focus on developing himself as a driver, and would avoid setting “crazy goals” for himself.
“The main thing, for this season for me is to concentrate on myself, to don’t repeat the mistakes of last year and [to] always be consistent.”
“But I will not set crazy goals for me, also because I’m a rookie. So yeah, I will approach the season this way.”
Fornaroli will also be keeping an eye on the academy programs offered by the different F1 teams. Despite his success in motorsport, especially in 2024, Fornaroli, unlike several of his rivals, is not a part of any driver academy or development program.
However, when asked whether anything was in the works, he explained that the situation was similar to what it had been at the end of the F3 season but there had been some progress.
“It’s very similar to Monza right now. But now something is moving and my manager is following everything.”
“I will join something soon,” he announced.
Fornaroli “really happy” about work done during pre-season testing
Fornaroli also spoke about his preparation for the upcoming season, and especially his experience during the three-day F2 pre-season testing in Barcelona with Invicta Racing. He expressed satisfaction with the testing program completed with the team, noting that he had improved many aspects of his racing since his 2024 season debut in Abu Dhabi.
“Yeah, I’m really happy about the work we did in these three days. We tested so many stuff, and I also improved so many things. I wasn’t so good in Abu Dhabi.”
He noted, as an example, his pitstops, which he said “had improved a lot.” However, he reiterated his need to continue to improve and his desire to focus on himself and his consistency in 2025.
“Well, the pit stop improved a lot, but still I need to improve a bit the position. Also because it’s very difficult because I’m always scared to hit a mechanic or something. But it already improved a lot.”
“But as I said before, I think I have to improve. Sorry, I think I have to focus on this series to be consistent and focus on myself.”
Yas Marina debut “a very good help”
Though Fornaroli may be disappointed with his debut performance in Abu Dhabi last year, he acknowledges that the experience was valuable. He explained that competing in the 2024 Yas Marina F2 round had helped improve his confidence as it had proven that he has the skills to race in F2.
“It was very helpful to already have a round because I have the confidence that I already did a race.”
“So, you know, all the doubts you have at the start of the season, like I will be able to do a pit stop, I will be the race start, and I will be able physically to finish the race. I don’t have all these doubts right now, so it’s a very good help.”
He added that his experience had improved his comfort and familiarity with various aspects of F2 racing, including the use of different compound tyres, and pitstop and race start procedures.
“And yeah, I’ve learned also so many new things for me, like to have two different compounds in the same race weekend, pit stops during the race, race start, which was very difficult for me, but it improved also that during the weekend. So it’s a very nice help.”
Tyre-testing an asset for F2
The Invicta Racing driver also shared his experience testing the new Dallara F3 2025 chassis which is set to be used in F3 this season. He stated that he had been happy with the car as while there had been improvements, it had felt similar to the older model.
“So, first of all, I was very happy about the car because it felt very similar to the older F3, which was amazing. And also, Dallara improved and Megacrom improved some things compared to the old ones. So, very happy.”
Despite the similarities between the new Dallara F3 2025 and the older 2019 model, Fornaroli noted some differences. He highlighted the effect of the larger tyres on the car’s performance, stating that they allowed “more direct” turning and were “more sensible” on the kerbs.
“Speaking of other tyres, the main difference I felt is that the turning and the change of direction is much more direct compared to the 13-inch tyre, and on the kerbs, it’s a bit more sensible. So, I think the F3 drivers will have to be a bit more careful this year with the kerbs.”
Fornaroli also believes that his experience with the larger tyres has helped his preparation for F2. He explained that his four days of testing the tyre had helped him to understand how the larger tyre affects performance.
“And it was also good for F2 because to have already four days of testing on the 16-inch tyres, it helped me to understand how a bigger tyre works, and that was a nice help for F2.”
Fornaroli “super comfortable” with new team
Fornaroli also spoke about the transition from Trident to Invicta Racing. In responding to a question from Pit Debrief, the Italian driver explained that he had been “a little bit scared” to join his new team, having become familiar with the people and environment at Trident.
“I was also a little bit scared about joining a completely different team compared to Trident because everyone is Italian and I [knew] everyone well since three years.”
However, he added that he had immediately become comfortable with his new team and looked forward to starting the 2025 season with them.
“But since the first seat fit [when] I went to Invicta, I felt super, super comfortable with them.”
“I mean, it’s always a pleasure to stay with the mechanics. They’re super funny and super professional as well. Also, with the engineers and team managers, I’m feeling super good. Also, with Roman as a teammate.”
“Really looking forward to start the season with them.”
