Leonardo Fornaroli Set for Final 2026 FP1 Appearances with McLaren

Leonardo Fornaroli is preparing for his final Free Practice 1 appearances of the 2026 season at the Mexico City and São Paulo Grands Prix. The McLaren reserve driver recently completed a comprehensive testing program at Circuit Paul Ricard to sharpen his skills before these high-stakes outings.

Why it matters:

Completing these mandatory rookie runs is a critical milestone for Fornaroli as he transitions from a junior champion to a viable F1 contender. By diversifying his seat time across different chassis and formats, McLaren is strategically grooming him into a versatile elite driver capable of handling both the pressure of Grand Prix weekends and long-term development.

The details:

• Testing Load: Fornaroli covered nearly 350 kilometers at Paul Ricard using the MCL39, the double championship-winning car from 2025.
• Strategic Focus: The sessions focused on long-run simulations and various set-up configurations to mimic actual FP1 conditions.
• Simulator Correlation: Test driver Jake Hughes also utilized the MCL39 during the program to provide a real-world reference point for his simulator development work.
• Upcoming Challenges: The Mexico City GP will test Fornaroli's physical endurance at high altitude, while the technical complexity of Interlagos will challenge his precision.

The big picture:

Fornaroli's trajectory is a textbook example of McLaren's long-term talent pipeline. Having secured the F3 and F2 titles in 2024 and 2025, he is no longer just a prospect but a proven winner. His current role as a reserve driver, combined with upcoming endurance racing commitments, suggests McLaren views him as a multi-dimensional asset for their broader motorsport portfolio.

What's next:

Looking beyond the 2026 season, Fornaroli is confirmed to join McLaren's new Hypercar team for the 2027 World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He will maintain his F1 reserve role, creating a hybrid schedule that blends the intensity of sprint racing with the endurance of WEC.