McLaren Bolsters Driver Development with F2 Champion Fornaroli and Two New Talents
McLaren has significantly strengthened its driver development program by signing newly crowned F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, seasoned F2 driver Richard Verschoor, and karting sensation Christian Costoya. Fornaroli, who achieved back-to-back F3 and F2 titles, is set for an F1 test and development role, underscoring McLaren's renewed commitment to nurturing top-tier talent for its future motorsport endeavors across F1, IndyCar, and WEC.
Newly crowned F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli has officially joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme, a move that places the highly-touted Italian directly into an F1-facing pathway. This signing comes after a stellar two-year run, including the 2024 Formula 3 crown and the 2025 F2 title.
Why it matters:
McLaren's acquisition of Fornaroli, alongside seasoned F2 driver Richard Verschoor and karting prodigy Christian Costoya, signals a strategic re-investment in their junior driver pipeline. After a recent reshuffling, these additions bring crucial depth and talent, reaffirming McLaren's commitment to nurturing future racing stars for its diverse motorsport endeavors, from F1 to IndyCar and WEC.
The Details:
- Leonardo Fornaroli (20, Italian): The 2025 F2 champion, Fornaroli became only the third driver in history to secure consecutive F3 and F2 titles, following Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto. He clinched four wins and five podiums in his title-winning F2 campaign. He will take on a test and development role within McLaren's F1 structure.
- Richard Verschoor (24, Dutch): Currently third in the F2 standings, Verschoor brings significant experience from five seasons in F2 and a notable 2019 Macau Grand Prix victory. A former Red Bull junior, his addition provides a blend of experience and continued potential.
- Christian Costoya (15, Spanish): Represents McLaren's long-term vision. A standout talent in international karting, he won the 2025 FIA Karting European Championship and was a vice-champion in 2023 world and 2024 European karting titles. Costoya will make his single-seater debut in the 2026 F4 Middle East Championship.
- Program Reshuffle: These signings follow recent departures from the McLaren junior structure, including Alex Dunne, Martinius Stenshorne, and Ugo Ugochukwu, indicating a strategic rebuilding phase.
The big picture:
McLaren Racing's Chief Business Affairs Officer, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, emphasized that developing young talent is a key priority for the team's multi-series ambitions. The program now boasts nine drivers across its F1, IndyCar, and World Endurance Championship operations, including established names like Pato O’Ward and emerging talents like Ella Lloyd.
What's next:
The integration of Fornaroli into an F1 test and development role suggests McLaren sees him as a direct candidate for future F1 opportunities, should his trajectory continue. For Verschoor, this offers a renewed pathway for his F1 aspirations, while Costoya's development will be closely watched as he transitions to single-seaters. These strategic additions aim to strengthen McLaren's long-term driver options across all its racing teams.