Photo: Invicta Racing
Formula 2 champion team Invicta Racing has undergone a management restructuring after the Invicta Watch Group completed its acquisition of the outfit.
The team’s founders Declan Lohan, Andy Roche and Paul Devlin – formerly CEO, team principal and team manager respectively – have stepped aside from the F2 squad. Roche, who together with Devlin previously worked for Formula 3000 stalwart Super Nova Racing, will continue to serve as a “consultant to team operations and driver development”.
The Invicta brand first joined F2 as a title sponsor of Virtuosi Racing in February 2023 before taking an ownership stake in December of the same year. Renamed Invicta Racing, the British-based team became F2 drivers’ champion with Gabriel Bortoleto and teams’ champion in 2024.
Ahead of the 2025 season, James Robinson (pictured left) becomes the new CEO and team principal, while Geoff Spear (pictured right) takes over the role of team manager.
Robinson’s previous experience includes roles as commercial manager at the Renault Formula 1 team, and as global sponsorship director at F1 itself. He also founded the marketing and communications agency Pace Six Four and has been key to the partnership forged between watchmaker Invicta and Virtuosi, taking a stake himself in the new ownership group.
“I’m honoured to take on this role and excited to build on our momentum from last season,” Robinson said. “We have an exceptional group of people at Invicta Racing, all working towards one goal. I’m looking forward to the next chapter with this amazing team.”
Spear meanwhile has served as race engineer with the team since 2013, running drivers such as Mitch Evans, Luca Ghiotto, Callum Ilott and, most recently, Kush Maini.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity and eager to help lead Invicta Racing into the future,” said Spear. “The breadth of talent in this team is truly extraordinary, and I’m excited for what we can achieve in the season ahead.”
The restructuring also includes Colin Sommerville stepping up from performance engineer to succeed Spear as a race engineer, working with Roman Stanek this season. Pau Rivera, who guided Bortoleto to the title, engineers Leonardo Fornaroli this year.
“I am thrilled to have James and Geoff leading the team,” said Eyal Lalo, the CEO of Invicta Watch Group and now chairman and team owner of Invicta Racing. “Their experience and energy make them the perfect choices as we seek to defend our titles in 2025.
“We are equally grateful for the other outstanding team members who are continuing the journey with us. Their passion and dedication are the beating heart of this organisation. I am excited to continue building on the championship-winning culture and approach that each of them brings.”
The trio of Lohan, Roche and Devlin continue to own the now-separate Virtuosi Racing Formula 4 operation alongside its team manager Mark Salmon, the former manager of Guanyu Zhou.