The Journey of Invicta Racing: A Look Inside Their Formula 2 Success
In March, James Robinson took on the role of team principal for Invicta Racing, a squad fresh off securing both the drivers’ and teams’ titles in Formula 2. Fast forward nearly six months, and Invicta stands proudly at the pinnacle of both championships, with just four rounds remaining in the 2025 F2 season. Recently, Robinson shared insights into his experiences with the team during an interview at Silverstone.
An Unconventional Path to Team Principal
James Robinson’s ascent to the role of team principal at Invicta Racing is anything but typical. Unlike many of his counterparts in Formula 2, who are often leaders of family businesses or long-standing members of the organization, Robinson hails from a background steeped in F1 sponsorship. He co-founded Pace Six Four, a motorsport marketing agency that had already established a partnership with Invicta during the previous F2 season.
This unique background has shaped Robinson’s perspective, particularly in terms of engagement. He noted a significant difference in his level of involvement compared to his prior commercial roles. The reality of being a team principal became evident during a chaotic moment at the Spielberg sprint race, where Invicta driver Leonardo Fornaroli was involved in a last-lap collision while running in eighth place.
“The role of a commercial executive typically involves later starts and earlier finishes, focusing mainly on key moments during the race,” Robinson explained. “However, the preparation for each day and the post-session work are incredibly time-consuming. After the incident on Saturday, we didn’t leave the track until 2:30 AM, and then we were back at 6:15 AM for the feature race. Many of the team members barely got an hour and a half of sleep, which is not unusual in this championship.”
Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Success
Despite the challenges, the Invicta team managed to repair Fornaroli’s car overnight, and he rewarded their efforts with a second-place finish in the feature race on Sunday. This result was not an isolated success; it marked Fornaroli’s fourth podium of the season and was quickly followed by his first three victories since 2021 at Silverstone, Budapest, and Spa.
“Leo has been truly exceptional,” Robinson remarked, praising Fornaroli’s performance. “His ability to execute during the sessions is remarkable. He consistently delivers his best laps at crucial moments, especially during qualifying. Additionally, his race management skills have improved significantly, although the results from Spielberg and Barcelona don’t fully capture his potential.”
Robinson referenced a particularly frustrating moment in Monaco, where Fornaroli was poised to secure a feature race victory. However, the timing of a safety car transition allowed fourth-placed Jak Crawford to pit with minimal time loss, ultimately altering the race dynamics. Fornaroli, along with other frontrunners, lost valuable track position and ended up behind Crawford.
“Monaco was a tough lesson in racing,” Robinson admitted. “It’s disappointing when the timing doesn’t work in your favor, but that’s racing for you, and there are elements beyond our control.”
Invicta’s Strategic Climb in the Standings
Despite the ups and downs of the season, Fornaroli’s impressive race management has propelled Invicta Racing up the championship standings. After a challenging start, the team has accumulated eight podium finishes over the last four weekends, overcoming a 50-point deficit to Campos Racing and now leading the teams’ championship by 42 points. A key factor in this remarkable turnaround has been the performance of their second driver, Roman Staněk, who has climbed to eighth in the drivers’ standings.
Staněk faced early struggles but managed to secure his first podium in the same sprint race where Fornaroli encountered difficulties. Robinson expressed his admiration for the 21-year-old Czech driver, highlighting Staněk’s technical feedback and collaboration with the engineering team.
“Roman’s ability to articulate how the car is performing is impressive; it’s among the best I’ve seen from any driver,” Robinson praised. “The potential is evident. During testing, he demonstrated exceptional race runs and qualifying performances. The challenge lies in translating that potential into consistent results.”
Since finding his footing, Staněk has averaged a finishing position of 5.1 across the last seven races, a stark improvement from his previous average of 11th place. His transition to Invicta Racing followed two challenging seasons with Trident, where he managed only one podium finish.
Invicta Racing’s Legacy and Future Aspirations
Historically, Invicta Racing has a reputation for winning races and competing for championships, but their recent consistency is remarkable. Before last season, when Gabriel Bortoleto clinched the drivers’ championship while he and Kush Maini helped the team secure the teams’ title, the last time Invicta claimed a championship was in 2017 under the name Russian Time. Their current dominance positions Invicta as a leading team in the Dallara F2 2024 era.
Robinson, although still relatively new to his role, acknowledges the importance of the personnel he inherited. He emphasizes the significance of having the right individuals in the appropriate roles, attributing much of the team’s success to their collective efforts.
“As cliché as it may sound, this is indeed a people business,” Robinson remarked. “It’s about having the right people in the right positions. I feel incredibly fortunate to have joined a team that boasts such quality in its personnel.”
Future Endeavors
Looking ahead, Robinson has expressed aspirations for Invicta Racing to expand into other championships. Currently, Invicta is the only F2 team without a presence in another series, having separated from the Virtuosi Racing team in British F4 after a full takeover. For the time being, their focus remains on excelling in Formula 2 and pursuing further success in the current season.
As Invicta Racing continues to navigate the challenges and triumphs of the 2025 F2 season, the team looks poised to maintain its momentum and solidify its place at the forefront of the championship. With talented drivers like Fornaroli and Staněk, along with a dedicated support staff, Invicta is well-equipped for the battles ahead on the track.
Their journey is a testament to the hard work, determination, and strategic vision that define successful racing teams in the competitive landscape of Formula 2. The coming rounds promise to be thrilling as Invicta strives to defend their titles and continue their legacy in the motorsport world.
