McLaren Extends Leonardo Fornaroli's Role for 2027 Across F1 and WEC

McLaren has officially secured Leonardo Fornaroli as its reserve and third driver for the 2027 Formula 1 season. In a strategic expansion of his role, the Woking-based team is also integrating the Italian driver into its upcoming World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign behind the wheel of the new McLaren Hypercar.

Why it matters:

This dual-track approach allows McLaren to cultivate a high-potential talent in a high-pressure environment while simultaneously powering their return to the pinnacle of endurance racing. For Fornaroli, the move solves the primary challenge of a reserve driver: the lack of competitive, wheel-to-wheel racing, ensuring he maintains his edge while remaining embedded in the F1 ecosystem.

The Details:

• F1 Continuity: Fornaroli will continue his development within the F1 program, building on a productive 2026 that included Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions, two FP1 appearances, and extensive simulator work.
• WEC Integration: He will transition into a competitive racing role with the new Hypercar, contributing not only as a driver but as a key figure in the vehicle's technical development.
• The Le Mans Goal: A central objective for the 2027 season is the 24 Hours of Le Mans, fulfilling a long-held professional ambition for the driver.
• Technical Synergy: McLaren aims to use Fornaroli's F1-grade feedback to accelerate the Hypercar's performance curve ahead of its competitive debut.

The Big Picture:

This decision reflects McLaren's broader ambition to synchronize its motorsport operations. By leveraging a single driver across both F1 and WEC, McLaren optimizes its technical feedback loop and prevents the "simulator rust" that often affects reserve drivers. This strategy aligns with the team's goal of establishing a dominant presence across multiple racing disciplines.

What's next:

Fornaroli has already completed initial laps in the Hypercar and is now entering a comprehensive testing phase to familiarize himself with the closed-cockpit dynamics and hybrid power delivery. The focus for the remainder of the year will be adapting his F1 precision to the endurance format as the team prepares for a high-stakes 2027 WEC debut.