McLaren reserve Fornaroli to make second FP1 outing in Hungary

McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli will take the wheel of the MCL40 this weekend, replacing Oscar Piastri for opening practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The reigning F2 champion is set for his second official F1 session after an impressive Barcelona debut earlier this year, as he builds his case for a full-time 2027 race seat.

Why it matters:

With the 2027 driver market taking shape, every competitive mile matters for juniors trying to land a race seat. Fornaroli immediately turned heads by finishing fifth in his Barcelona debut, proving he could run pace from the outset. This outing gives McLaren another chance to evaluate his consistency against a full field, potentially boosting his stock as teams finalize future lineups.

The details:

• Fornaroli will pilot the MCL40 during Friday's FP1 at the Hungaroring, his second appearance after stepping in for Piastri in Barcelona.
• The Italian has logged extensive simulator hours at McLaren's Woking base to prepare for the circuit's technical layout and maximize his contribution to the weekend programme.
• He ended his first outing in fifth place and hopes to build on that form while gaining further confidence within the team.
• Haas will also field rookie Ryo Hirakawa during FP1, giving the Japanese driver additional grand prix weekend experience.

What's next:

Friday's session serves as another audition for Fornaroli as he looks to convince McLaren—or rival outfits—that he is ready for a permanent grid spot. With several 2027 seats still open, a strong showing on a technical circuit like the Hungaroring could prove pivotal. McLaren will watch closely to see whether the young Italian can replicate his Barcelona pace under the pressure of a live race weekend.