Invicta has announced that Leonardo Fornaroli will turn into considered one of its Formula 2 drivers for the 2025 season after winning the Formula 3 title at Monza.
The 19-year-old became the primary Italian to win the Formula 3 championship in its current form on Sunday, overtaking compatriot Gabriele Mini on the ultimate corner to take third place behind Christian Mansell.
The Mini, which finished second, was then disqualified for running with tyre pressures below the minimum required standards. Ultimately, Fornaroli took the title by 23 points.
Fornaroli also became the primary driver to top the points standings without taking a single race win, following a successful campaign that saw him finish on the rostrum seven times.
The move to Invicta marks the tip of a three-year partnership with Trident, with which Fornaroli competed within the European Formula Regional series in 2022 and each of his F3 campaigns.
The Norfolk-based team currently fields 2023 Formula 3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto and Kush Maini, and in its first yr of operation with the Dallara F2 chassis in 2024, the team sits at the highest of the teams’ championship.
“I am extremely happy to celebrate winning the F3 championship with this news and I am looking forward to moving to F2 next season,” said Fornaroli.
“Invicta Racing has proven for a few years that it’s among the best teams in Formula 2, and this season is not any exception.
Gabriel Bortoleto of Invicta Racing
Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
“I’m really excited to be working with the team for the 2025 season. I need to take this chance to thank Trident for the last three years, they are surely the most effective team in F3.
“To go from the best team in F3 to the best in F2 is a real dream come true.”
While consistency has been key to Fornaroli’s success, questions will arise about his ability to win races in his first Formula 2 season, as his last single-seater victories got here in 2021, with one win each within the F4 Central European Zone Championship and the Italian F4 Championship.
Before making his debut at the beginning of the 2025 season, Fornaroli will participate in post-season testing in Abu Dhabi along with his latest team.
“We are delighted to welcome Leonardo to our team in 2025,” said Invicta Team Principal Andy Roche.
“Winning the F3 championship is an incredible achievement for him and I have no doubt he will do a great job in 2025. We have been following Leonardo’s career in single-seaters for several years and it is clear that he is an outstanding talent.”
“Following in Gabriel’s footsteps this year, we are delighted that the reigning F3 champion will join our team for the second year running.”
Bortoleto's victory from last on the grid in Sunday's Formula 2 race moved him 10.5 points behind championship leader Isaac Hadjar (Campos) with three rounds to go.
