Formula Two Champion Fornaroli Takes On Test Role with McLaren

Leonardo Fornaroli, the newly crowned Formula Two champion, has officially joined McLaren in a test and development role, the team announced on December 2. The 20-year-old Italian secured his championship title in Qatar, achieving this milestone with a round to spare last Sunday. Throughout the season, Fornaroli showcased exceptional skill, securing four victories and reaching the podium five times.

Path to McLaren

Fornaroli’s ascent in the racing world follows in the footsteps of his fellow competitors. Notably, Oscar Piastri, who is currently contending for the Formula One title, and former McLaren development driver Gabriel Bortoleto, who is now racing for Sauber, both won the Formula Three and Formula Two titles in consecutive years. This trend underscores McLaren’s commitment to nurturing young talent with proven track records.

Joining Fornaroli in McLaren’s development program is his Dutch rival from Formula Two, Richard Verschoor, who finished third in the championship standings. The addition of these promising drivers highlights McLaren’s strategy to bolster its future through a robust development pipeline.

McLaren’s Broader Ambitions

Beyond its Formula One pursuits, McLaren is expanding its footprint in motorsport. The team currently competes in the U.S.-based IndyCar series and plans to enter the World Endurance Championship starting in 2027. This diversification reflects McLaren’s ambition to establish a strong presence across multiple racing disciplines.

This weekend, Piastri and his teammate Lando Norris will be in Abu Dhabi, where they will compete against Max Verstappen of Red Bull for the F1 drivers’ title. As McLaren prepares for this crucial race, the addition of Fornaroli to their testing lineup signals a forward-looking approach aimed at sustained success in the competitive world of motorsport.