F2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli Joins McLaren as Test and Development Driver

Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli has been signed to McLaren's driver development program, taking on the role of test and development driver for the Formula 1 team. His consistent rise through the junior ranks, culminating in back-to-back F3 and F2 titles, has caught McLaren's attention, signaling a significant step in his journey towards F1.

Why it matters:

Leonardo Fornaroli's arrival at McLaren's driver development program is a crucial move for both the young Italian driver and the Woking-based team. Fornaroli gains the backing of a major F1 constructor after independently achieving success in junior categories, a rarity in modern motorsport. For McLaren, it reinforces their commitment to nurturing future talent and ensures a robust pipeline of drivers for their various racing endeavors.

The details:

• Back-to-Back Champion: Fornaroli mirrored Gabriel Bortoleto's path, securing the F3 title with Trident in 2024 and then the F2 championship with Invicta this year. His F2 title was sealed in Qatar after a strong second-place finish in the Sunday feature race.
• Independent Success: Notably, Fornaroli achieved his F2 championship without prior backing from an F1 team's junior program, showcasing his raw talent and consistent performance.
• McLaren's Roster: His signing fills a vacant spot in McLaren's junior roster, following Alex Dunne's mid-season departure from their development squad.
• FP1 Opportunity: There's a strong possibility Fornaroli could make his FP1 debut in Abu Dhabi, as Oscar Piastri is required to cede his seat for one more session this season. The team's selection for that session is currently unconfirmed.
• Other Additions: McLaren has also expanded its development program with two other promising talents:
  • Richard Verschoor: One of Fornaroli's F2 championship rivals, Verschoor brings several years of F2 experience and was previously part of Red Bull's junior team. He has indicated that the 2025 season will be his last in F2.
  • Christian Costoya: The Spanish karting champion will kick off his season at the F4 Middle East Championship opener in Yas Marina in January.

What's next:

McLaren's driver development chief, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, emphasized the importance of continuously developing their talent pipeline for their expanding racing teams. The focus will be on providing comprehensive support and opportunities across various testing and progression paths in 2026 for all their new recruits.

• Fornaroli's immediate goal will be to integrate fully into the McLaren program, leveraging the resources and expertise to further hone his skills.
• His potential FP1 outing in Abu Dhabi could be a significant milestone, offering invaluable F1 car experience and a chance to impress the team.
• The broader aim for McLaren is to ensure a strong pool of talent that can feed into their F1, IndyCar, and Formula E operations, securing their future competitive edge across motorsport categories.