Leonardo Fornaroli is no longer hiding his next major objective: securing a Formula 1 race seat for 2027. After winning the Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships in consecutive seasons, the young Italian is spending 2026 behind the scenes at McLaren, building mileage, working extensively in the simulator and taking part in Grand Prix weekends with one clear target in mind.
Since joining McLaren’s Driver Development Programme last December, Leonardo Fornaroli has steadily increased his involvement with the Formula 1 team. His programme has already included private testing, two FP1 appearances and work alongside race drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as he attempts to prepare himself for the final step onto the F1 grid.
Leonardo Fornaroli builds Formula 1 experience with McLaren
Leonardo Fornaroli drove a Formula 1 car for the first time in March during a Testing of Previous Cars session at Barcelona. He then made his official Grand Prix weekend debut at the same circuit in June, taking part in FP1 and finishing an encouraging fifth fastest.
More Formula 1 mileage followed, including a TPC test with Haas at Jerez and a second FP1 appearance for McLaren at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 21-year-old reflected on his increasingly demanding programme in an exclusive interview with Formula1.com.
“There’s a lot going on. We’ve done a lot of simulator sessions to prepare for every TPC and FP1, as well as Friday support work during race weekends, which I found very useful for my development,” Leonardo Fornaroli explained.
The work is about far more than simply chasing lap time. During his first FP1 appearance in Barcelona, for example, Leonardo Fornaroli’s main responsibility was to collect useful information for the development of the MCL40.
“I didn’t have many laps where I could really push, but the goal was to help the team by providing good data for the aerodynamics.”
Fornaroli discovers the demands of a Formula 1 team
Moving from the junior categories into the structure of a Formula 1 organisation has inevitably changed both the scale and intensity of Leonardo Fornaroli’s daily work.
“It’s a different world. It’s the beginning of… how can I say it, it’s where you start to become a professional racing driver. There are a lot more people working compared to F2 and F3 and there is much more work. It’s very intense, but I’m enjoying it.”
Despite the increased demands, Leonardo Fornaroli believes his years in the junior categories gave him a strong foundation for adapting to Formula 1.
“They are still extremely high-level categories and they taught me how to work in this environment and how to deal with people. Driving is what I like doing, so all of this becomes natural, or almost natural.”
Winning Formula 3 in 2024 and Formula 2 in 2025 consecutively placed Leonardo Fornaroli among the most highly regarded young drivers outside Formula 1. His 2026 programme is now focused on translating that junior success into the technical, physical and operational experience required at the highest level.
A 2027 Formula 1 seat is now Leonardo Fornaroli’s goal
The second half of the season will provide further opportunities to build that experience. More TPC running, additional FP1 sessions, simulator work and time alongside Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are all part of the plan.
“I’m trying to learn as much as possible,” the Italian summarised.
However, his McLaren programme now has another increasingly obvious purpose. Leonardo Fornaroli’s name has entered discussions surrounding the 2027 Formula 1 driver market, particularly after his test with Haas.
The American team has become one of the most closely watched potential destinations for young drivers ahead of next season, with McLaren and Ferrari prospects linked with the developing Haas 2027 driver situation.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown also strengthened the case for Leonardo Fornaroli during the British Grand Prix when he was asked whether the Italian had a realistic chance of reaching the Formula 1 grid.
“Yes, I think there are possibilities. He’s a great talent. He’s done some testing with us and hopefully he can secure an F1 seat. I definitely think he deserves to be in F1,” Zak Brown said.
Fornaroli says McLaren is working to make F1 promotion happen
For Leonardo Fornaroli himself, reaching Formula 1 is no longer simply a distant dream. Asked directly whether he now regards a full-time race debut as a realistic possibility, he did not hesitate.
“Absolutely. We’re working to make it happen. Right now I’m focused on the present and on doing my job. There’s still some work to do, but I think we’re in a good position.”
His journey began in karting and continued through the junior single-seater ladder before culminating in consecutive F3 and F2 championships. Having now completed his first Formula 1 tests and official practice sessions, Leonardo Fornaroli feels he is closer than ever to the final step.
“The journey has been very long and sometimes very difficult. We’re still not there, but after my first F1 test, my first FP1 and all the work we’ve done, we’re all very happy and satisfied.”
The challenge now is to turn that development work into a genuine opportunity for 2027. Leonardo Fornaroli already has the junior titles, McLaren’s backing and increasingly valuable Formula 1 mileage. The remaining objective is the most important one of all: securing a permanent place on the grid.
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