Roman Bilinski on his fighting spirit, Rodin ‘homecoming’ and F3 expectations for 2025

5 February 2025

Stepping up to Formula 3 in 2025, Roman Bilinski has likened his signing with Rodin Motorsport to a homecoming.

The Polish-British driver moves up to the Championship after most recently competing in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, but worked with the team back in 2021 in British F4.

Speaking about his promotion to F3 and his reunion at Rodin, Bilinski says that he recognised plenty of faces in the garage during the post-season tests, and that he was raring to get going in 2025.

“It's an incredible feeling,” he explained. “It's a big step up from FRECA, being in FIA Formula 3 is an honour, and also to race with incredible team like Rodin - I think we've all progressed a lot in this off season, so I think we can be in a good shape for this year. So, I’m very excited.

“Working with Rodin is incredible, and I feel at home already. I was with the team three years ago for a short amount of time, so I know the team, and it was like coming home really, so I’m very happy.

“The car is absolutely incredible, so much downforce and power - but as a driver, that's everything you want"

“Pretty much everyone I knew from back then was working at the team still. I think that's a big thing at Rodin, which really shows how well the team works, everyone's been here for so long, and I think that says a lot about a team. So, it was nice to see some similar faces. There was a couple of new ones, but either way it was a good feeling.”

Having been able to sample the previous generation of F3 car in Jerez and Barcelona, Bilinski says the power and aero performance were the stand-out factors.

While both tests were useful, drivers will be jumping in the new F3 car for the first time in Barcelona later this month. Featuring revamped aerodynamics along with 16-inch Pirelli tyres, there will be plenty of work for all the teams and drivers.

Bilinski is eager to learn as much as possible in the early stages with Rodin

Bilinski says he’s approaching things pragmatically, admitting that he and his teammates Callum Voisin and Louis Sharp must work harmoniously to maximise Rodin’s track time ahead of Round 1.

“The car is absolutely incredible, so much downforce and a lot more power to what I was used to. But as a driver, that's kind of everything you want.

“I think the new car is going to be a big challenge, not just for us drivers, but for the team with a new car and new tyres. I think a lot of it is going to be driving-wise – we need to be consistent as possible, so the team and driver can learn as much as possible.

“We have to work all together really. All the drivers must be 100%, myself and my teammates. Luckily, I have two very quick teammates in Callum and Louis, so we're all going to be pushing each other very hard and giving feedback.

“This is what drives the team forward in all of this. So, I think putting all of these things together is a key that will create a lot of success in 2025.”

Bilinski’s 2024 season didn’t go exactly according to plan after a road accident away from racing left him with two broken vertebrae, requiring surgery. He mounted a comeback later in the year however, impressively finishing in the points at Imola on his FRECA return.

He admits that it was not the most straightforward year of his career, however he says the spirit and fightback he showed characterises him as a driver.

“It wasn't the easiest of seasons, but the bounce back was incredible. Two weeks before the Imola, I couldn't walk, so to bounce back and be in the position we were, I think was absolutely incredible.

“I think it shows a lot of me as a person that I really don't give up, and this is everything I want. I really, really want to get to Formula 1 and be a World Champion. So it was a good bounce back. But this year now we need to fight for more.”

The Polish-British driver says he feels at home with the Rodin team and is eager to go racing in 2025

His ongoing preparations for 2025 have been much smoother in comparison, the Rodin driver highlighting the simulator work he’s carried out at the team’s workshop as crucial ahead of the early races.

Rounds 1 and 2 will be at venues Bilinski has not visited before in Albert Park and the Bahrain International Circuit, but he believes his time in the sim has sped up his learning curve.

“It’s been very, very good. We've done lots of simulator, so all this preparation has been very good, especially going to two tracks that I won't know in Bahrain and Australia. All of the time at Rodin on the simulator really builds up to a better progression for when we get to those tracks.”

Asked whether he’s eying up one race in particular as a favourite in 2025, Bilinski said he was just eager to get back to racing and ahead of a season of unknowns as a rookie, he was looking forward to every test F3 will throw at him.

“Honestly, no, I just want to drive, and I want to keep doing laps. I think, as drivers, we're very fortunate to be doing the things we are doing, traveling the world, driving these tracks. So every track, every lap that we do in this car and this Championship - it's a dream.

“We wouldn't be racing drivers if we didn't say we wanted to win every race and win the Championship. But we're going into a season that has a lot of unknowns.

“There's new a new car, new tyres and I’m going to be in my rookie season. So, I just want to improve, do the best I can do, and we'll see what that brings. I just want to keep learning and keep improving.”