Roman Bilinski: ‘Points a sign of progress’ as improvements continue

It has been a mixed rookie campaign for Roman Bilinski, but the DAMS Lucas Oil driver believes a positive European phase of the year can help things.

The Polish driver secured points in eight of the 12 races from Monte Carlo through to Budapest, including a P2 finish in the Principality.

Bilinski says that despite his P17 ranking in the Drivers’ Standings, the 2026 season has been more positive than the points situation suggests.

“I'll say the European phase, actually, all things considered has been relatively positive because we had five races in a row in the points, which is something to look at and be proud of,” he explained.

“Of course, I would have preferred to have a big points finish to really boost you up in the championship, but to consistently show we can fight in that range for five to six races in a row is something very positive.”

Alongside Bilinski at DAMS this season has been Dino Beganovic. The Swede has been instrumental in the Pole getting up to speed.

He says the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy talent has been a useful reference to compare himself against, and his methodology has impacted his own approach to the F2 weekends.

“Dino is an experienced driver. He's driven the Ferrari Formula 1 car quite a few times as well. So to learn from someone like that is fantastic and interesting ways, seeing new things, everything, how he feeds back, how he reports is just all very important stuff for me to learn from and to then try and show that I can do as well.

“I'd say the biggest thing has been getting right on it in Practice and Qualifying sessions, and I think it's really shown in the last few rounds. FPs have been very strong for me. Qualifying has been getting a lot stronger as well.

“So this is all something very positive for myself. So now it's just trying to get those big points, finishes to boost us up in the championship, and I truly do believe we can do it, especially with how we've shown our performance can be in the last few rounds. We think we can get that and we deserve to get that.

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“A lot of things haven't gone our way, but a lot has been out of our hands, but that’s part of our sport. So I’m looking forward to the next rounds trying to bounce back.”

With the European leg of the campaign coming to a close on the other side of the summer break, the DAMS driver says they have learned a great deal over the busy period.

Consistent point-scoring results have coincided with improvements both from an operational and driving perspective, with Bilinski eager to add more to his tally in Monza and Madrid.

He says that the recent results have added conviction to the direction the team is heading in, and they will be targeting a rise up the order in the Championship before the end of the year.

“I think in terms of the driving and within the team, we've really understood what needed to be done, and that is starting to show. 100% we're going in the right direction and I think lots of people can see that.

“I'd love to be racing every day. But for sure, the summer break is good but it's very important to come back from that and be stronger than where we left off from.

“It's going to be all about training, understanding and then applying what we’ve learned to the next rounds. So not so many holidays, but I love what I do and so it's okay for me.

“I hope to keep the form that we've got going at the moment, because it's been strong. But I hope those big race results start to come in and show what we can do, and begin to reflect that in the standings because we deserve it.

“For myself, the team, it's been difficult and now it's time to prove to everyone what we can do.”