For Staněk, who recently joined last season’s Formula 2 team champions Invicta Racing, this meeting was a great source of motivation just days before the start of his most important season yet.

With the first race of the season in Melbourne coming up this weekend, Staněk is preparing to build on his first Formula 2 victory from last year. Standing alongside a racing icon like Alesi made the occasion even more special.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be part of this meeting. Being able to talk to the president just before heading to Australia is a huge motivation for me. I’m going into this season with a clear goal – to fight for the best results and prove that Czech motorsport belongs on the world stage,” Staněk said.

This year is a turning point in his career. Moving to Invicta Racing, the dominant team in Formula 2, gives him a real shot at fighting for the championship and, ultimately, a place in Formula 1. Having recently completed his pre-season testing in Barcelona, Staněk is optimistic about his chances in 2025.

“The whole test went really well. We had no mechanical issues, and the car performed great in both qualifying and race simulations. Of course, it’s just testing, so you never know exactly where you stand, but I felt really good in the car,” he explained.

Jean Alesi, who took part in 201 F1 Grand Prix races and drove for iconic teams like Ferrari, Benetton, and Sauber, wished Staněk luck and shared valuable advice. The former French driver, known for his aggressive driving style and passion for racing, highlighted the importance of mental strength and consistency.

“Roman has the talent and the opportunity he cannot waste. Formula 2 is an extremely competitive series where even the smallest details make a difference. If he wants to reach Formula 1, he must be ready to perform at his best in every single race,” Alesi said.

Jan Šťovíček, president of the Autoclub of the Czech Republic, also attended the meeting and emphasised how important this moment was for Czech motorsport.

“President Pavel is a big motorsport fan, and I’m glad he supports our biggest circuit racing talent, Roman. He has an incredible future ahead of him, and I believe that with Invicta, he’ll prove he belongs among the best. He has what it takes to earn a seat in Formula 1, and after so many years, we could finally see a Czech driver back in the top category.”

Czech motorsport has been striving to return to the global stage. The last Czech driver in Formula 1 was Tomáš Enge, who competed in three races for Prost Grand Prix in 2001. Since then, no Czech racer has made it into the pinnacle of motorsport. If Staněk delivers outstanding results in Formula 2 this season, he could earn a spot in a Formula 1 junior program, bringing him one step closer to fulfilling his dream.