McLaren Junior Fornaroli to Drive for Haas in Surprise Jerez Test

Leonardo Fornaroli is set to take a rare step outside the McLaren family, with the reigning Formula 2 champion scheduled to drive for Haas in a two-day Testing of Previous Cars session at Jerez. The 21-year-old Italian will sample the VF-25 on Wednesday and Thursday alongside Haas reserve Ryo Hirakawa, keeping his name active in the hunt for a full-time Formula 1 race seat.

Why it matters:

Formula 2 champions are barred from returning to the series, leaving Fornaroli without a race seat for 2026 and entirely dependent on test roles to stay sharp. The Haas outing is more than a routine developmental exercise. Esteban Ocon has yet to secure a deal beyond this season, and teammate Oliver Bearman is only strengthening his position inside the team. A strong showing could quickly move Fornaroli into the conversation for a 2027 drive.

The details:

• Fornaroli will pilot Haas's 2025-spec VF-25 at the Spanish circuit, his first run in machinery outside the McLaren stable.
• Haas launched its TPC program last year through its technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing, creating off-calendar running away from grand prix weekends.
• The Italian recently made his FP1 debut for McLaren in Barcelona and logged prior TPC outings for the team at Silverstone and the Circuit of The Americas.
• McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised Fornaroli’s meticulous preparation after the Catalan session, describing him as "by far the most proactive driver" with engineers despite his understated presence.

What's next:

With Haas’s long-term lineup still unresolved, Jerez amounts to a direct audition for a grid slot in 2027. Reserve Jack Doohan remains in the frame but has yet to log actual track time with Haas this season, leaving a narrow opening for Fornaroli to force his way into contention. If he channels the pace and precision Stella has highlighted into tangible results against unfamiliar machinery, McLaren’s junior prospect could emerge as a serious candidate for a race seat next year.