‘One stage closer to the dream’ – Bilinski excited by ‘fantastic’ step up to F2 with DAMS

12 January 2026

Roman Bilinski has hailed his graduation to Formula 2 for 2026 as “fantastic” as he prepares to get his season underway in the colours of DAMS Lucas Oil.

The Polish driver makes the step up from FIA Formula 3 where he had a strong campaign last year, finishing 11th in the Standings with three podiums, including a victory in the Monza Sprint Race.

Bilinski is now set to partner Dino Beganovic at DAMS, and working alongside the Swede, as well as the team, is an opportunity he is delighted to have in 2026.

“It's absolutely fantastic,” said Bilinski on stepping up to Formula 2. “DAMS have proven themselves to be a very strong team over the years, and also to be teammates with Dino will be great. There will be lots to learn, I am sure.

“This is a good thing for myself, and I am just really excited to get going. It's a fantastic feeling being in Formula 2, suddenly you are one stage closer to the dream and I just want to get going and get to Melbourne.”

Bilinski is enjoying getting to work with the DAMS Lucas Oil team as he steps up to F2

Bilinski was confirmed to be joining the French outfit prior to the final two rounds of the 2025 season in Lusail and Yas Marina.

The 21-year-old then shadowed the team at both race weekends, listening in on debriefs and getting to know the people he will be working with this year, before jumping into the car at post-season testing.

“It's been great,” said Bilinski on his first few weeks working with DAMS. “It already feels like a family, which is fantastic. I am still learning, and even though I was not driving in the last couple of weeks I was still able to learn.

“Kush and Jak, who were in the team were third year drivers, so both had an extreme amount of experience in the Championship. So to listen to them in debriefs was extremely important for me.”

When asked about his first impressions of the F2 car, Bilinski responded: “Of course the speed in the straights is much faster, and we have now got carbon brakes.

Bilinski gave his first impressions of the Formula 2 car after post-season testing

“We also have different tyre compounds in the weekend, which is something I have to get used too as well, and some different tracks. So for sure there will be some differences, but this is what motorsport is about.”

Bilinski was speaking on the final day of post-season running at Abu Dhabi, where he said the plan was for him and the team to be working over the winter to be ready to hit the ground running in Melbourne.

This is all in a bid for him and the team to achieve their goals in what is set to be another competitive season.

“Being a racing driver, you want to win,” he said. “You want to win every race, every championship and everything like this. But being my rookie season, I want to do the best job I can do, keep learning and we will see what happens.”