Czech racer Roman Staněk is making waves in Formula 2 and keeping alive the dream of becoming only the second Czech in Formula 1.

Born in Valašské Meziříčí, the 21-year-old is now in his third F2 season and has stepped up with Invicta Racing, one of the grid’s strongest teams.

With podium finishes, a maiden pole position, and his first feature race win, Staněk is showing he has the ability to move closer to motorsport’s top tier.

Early path into racing

Motorsport ran in the family. Inspired by his grandfather, Staněk first tried motocross at age six before switching to safer sports like football and tennis. At ten, he took up karting alongside his brothers, starting a path that quickly led to professional racing.

In 2019, he debuted in single-seaters, finishing fourth in ADAC Formula 4 and fifth in Italian F4. Three seasons in Formula 3 followed, where steady progress culminated in fifth place in the 2022 championship. That result opened the door to Formula 2 with Trident in 2023. Though his rookie years brought only average results, he claimed his first sprint race victory in Melbourne in 2024.

Everything changed this year with his move to Invicta Racing.

Breakthrough in 2025

Staněk’s momentum began with a third place at Silverstone, followed by his biggest career breakthrough at Spa-Francorchamps. In rain-soaked conditions, he initially finished third in the Feature Race, but after penalties to Alexander Dunne and Arvid Lindblad, he was promoted to his first-ever F2 Feature Race win.

A week later at the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, he secured his first pole position, edging out teammate and championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli. He led the early laps before losing out in the pit stops, but still crossed the line in second, holding off Jak Crawford for a valuable podium.

Carrying Czech hopes

Only one Czech has raced in Formula 1 before: Tomáš Enge, who made three starts with Prost Grand Prix in 2001. Enge later built a successful career in endurance and GT racing but remains the only Czech to reach F1.

Staněk has often spoken of his desire to follow in Enge’s footsteps. “It feels great to represent my home,” he said in 2023. “As a guy from a small town, I want to prove that everything is possible.”

Enge himself has supported Staněk’s career, even celebrating his first Formula 3 podium in 2021 at the Hungaroring.

With four races left in the 2025 season, Staněk sits eighth in the championship on 77 points. His run of podiums and improved pace suggest he could climb further, keeping alive both his personal ambitions and Czech motorsport’s hope of returning to Formula 1.

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