Italian talent Leonardo Fornaroli joins F1: McLaren confirms contract details. Fresh from clinching the 2025 Formula 2 title on debut, Italian star Leonardo Fornaroli has signed with McLaren.

Leonardo Fornaroli joins McLaren: the doors of F1 open for the Italian talent

Following his impressive rookie success in Formula 2, Leonardo Fornaroli earns his “promotion” to the top category of motorsport. The 2004-born driver from Emilia will join Andrea Stella and Zak Brown at McLaren starting next season, albeit initially as a test and development driver.

Leonardo Fornaroli will become McLaren’s test driver while the 2026 race lineup will continue to feature Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. However, the young Italian arrives at Woking with the clear prospect of becoming a full-time F1 driver in the near future.

Alongside the new F1 champion, McLaren’s program will also include Richard Verschoor and Christian Costoya, all part of the team’s long-term development plans.

Who is Leonardo Fornaroli, McLaren’s new driver

Born in Piacenza on December 3, 2004, Leonardo Fornaroli will serve as McLaren’s third driver in the 2026 F1 season. Fresh from his debut Formula 2 title, the young Piacenza-born driver had previously also claimed the Formula 3 championship at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Over the past year, Leonardo Fornaroli competed in F2 with the British Invicta Racing team (formerly UNI Virtuosi), alongside teammate Roman Stanek.

Consistency and several decisive victories in the second half of the season — including Sprint wins at Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza, plus the Feature Race victory in Budapest — enabled Leonardo Fornaroli to secure the championship with a round to spare, finishing second in the Feature Race in Qatar.