McLaren has confirmed that Leonardo Fornaroli will take part in two further Formula 1 free practice sessions at the 2026 Mexico City and São Paulo Grands Prix, following a successful test at Circuit Paul Ricard. The Italian driver completed 58 laps and 339 kilometres in the MCL39, the car that won both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2025, as McLaren continues to invest in his development.
Although Leonardo Fornaroli’s prospects of securing a full-time Formula 1 seat in 2027 now appear to have faded after losing out to Rafael Câmara in the battle for a Haas drive, the reigning world champion team remains committed to supporting the young Italian. The driver from Piacenza has an impressive junior racing record, having won the Formula 3 championship in 2024 and followed it with the Formula 2 title in 2025.
Leonardo Fornaroli completes 339 km McLaren F1 test at Paul Ricard
Leonardo Fornaroli recently returned to the cockpit at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, driving McLaren’s MCL39 as part of the team’s development programme. The 2025 car, which delivered both world titles to McLaren, provided an important opportunity for the reserve driver to gain further experience with competitive Formula 1 machinery.
The Italian completed 58 laps, covering 339 kilometres on the circuit’s Grand Prix layout. Despite several rain showers interrupting the afternoon running, McLaren successfully completed its planned programme.
The test was designed to prepare Leonardo Fornaroli for his next two official appearances, when he will drive the current MCL40 in consecutive FP1 sessions at the Mexico City and São Paulo Grands Prix.
Those outings will follow his previous practice appearances at Barcelona and Budapest earlier in the 2026 season, giving the Italian further opportunities to gain experience during Formula 1 race weekends. McLaren’s decision to provide additional mileage also reflects the importance it continues to place on his long-term development.
Leonardo Fornaroli prepares for Mexico City and São Paulo FP1 sessions
Leonardo Fornaroli welcomed the opportunity to return to the current McLaren car and explained why the two circuits will present very different challenges.
“I’m really excited to get back behind the wheel of the MCL40 and take part in two more official Free Practice 1 sessions with the team,” Leonardo Fornaroli said. “The Mexico City and São Paulo Grands Prix are two fantastic events that will be a great challenge for me as a driver. Interlagos is a historic circuit with a wide variety of technical corners, while the altitude in Mexico City will definitely present a new physical challenge. It’s a valuable opportunity for my development as a driver and, at the same time, to contribute to the team during the race weekend.”
The two upcoming sessions will offer different learning opportunities. The varied technical corners at Interlagos will test Leonardo Fornaroli’s ability to adapt, while the high altitude of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez represents another unfamiliar challenge.
The Mexican and Brazilian rounds form part of the closing stages of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, with McLaren providing the Italian with further experience as the championship approaches its conclusion.
Fornaroli praises McLaren’s MCL39 after first experience in title-winning car
Reflecting on his recent test, Leonardo Fornaroli highlighted how useful the opportunity had been after several months away from the cockpit of a Formula 1 car.
“This test at Circuit Paul Ricard was extremely useful. It had been a few months since I last drove a Formula 1 car, so it was good to get back in the cockpit ahead of Mexico. It’s a really enjoyable circuit to drive, and of course having the chance to drive the MCL39 for the first time made it even more special. It was fantastic to drive a car capable of winning two championships.”
The Italian also expressed his appreciation for the continued support he has received throughout his development programme.
“I want to thank the McLaren team for these opportunities and everyone involved in the McLaren Driver Development Programme for their guidance and constant support. I can’t wait to be back with the team in Mexico.”
Jake Hughes also completes McLaren testing programme in France
Leonardo Fornaroli was not the only McLaren driver to take part in the Paul Ricard test. The team also put test and development driver Jake Hughes behind the wheel of the MCL39, with the Briton completing 52 laps of the French circuit.
The additional running formed part of McLaren’s wider testing activities, providing further experience with its previous-generation Formula 1 machinery.
For Leonardo Fornaroli, however, the immediate focus now turns to Mexico City and Interlagos. With two more official practice opportunities confirmed, the Italian will continue accumulating valuable Formula 1 experience even as his prospects of securing a full-time race seat for 2027 appear increasingly uncertain.
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