McLaren Names Fornaroli and O'Ward as 2026 Reserve Drivers

McLaren has solidified its 2026 backup plans by appointing reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and IndyCar standout Pato O'Ward as official reserve drivers. This strategic move strengthens the Woking-based squad's depth as they aim to defend their constructors' championship title.

Why it matters:

Maintaining a robust driver pipeline is critical for sustained dominance in Formula 1. By securing fresh talent like Fornaroli and retaining a proven asset like O'Ward, McLaren ensures readiness for any eventuality while grooming stars for future campaigns in IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship.

The details:

• Fornaroli's Focus: The Italian will handle an intensive testing and simulator program as the primary reserve for most of the season, backing up Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
• O'Ward's Dual Role: The Mexican continues balancing F1 reserve duties with his primary drive in the NTT IndyCar Series with Arrow McLaren.
• Junior Lineup: The roster features Matteo De Palo and Christian Costoya in F3, Dries Van Langendonck in British F4, and Ella Lloyd and Ella Stevens in F1 Academy.
• Hypercar Prep: Richard Verschoor will race in the European Le Mans Series to prepare specifically for McLaren’s 2027 hypercar entry.

What's next:

McLaren's strategy clearly extends beyond the current F1 grid. With Verschoor eyeing the hypercar project and a strong lineup of juniors progressing through the formulas, the team is positioning itself to compete for titles across multiple disciplines in the coming years.