McLaren's 'hidden gem' Leonardo Fornaroli completes first F1 test at COTA in MCL60

McLaren reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli has taken another step toward a full-time F1 seat, logging 77 laps over two days in the team’s 2023 MCL60 at the Circuit of the Americas. The 21-year-old Italian—only the fifth driver ever to win both F3 and F2 titles back-to-back—is being groomed behind the scenes as a potential 2027 race driver.

Why it matters:

Fornaroli's rapid progress in Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions shows McLaren is investing in its next generation of talent. With back-to-back Constructors' titles already secured, the team is now building depth for the 2026 regulation change and beyond. If Fornaroli continues to impress, he could follow Oscar Piastri’s path into a race seat.

The details:

• Fornaroli completed 77 laps at COTA over two days—his third TPC outing—gaining familiarity with F1 procedures and the track.
• The test included practice starts, a key step in preparing for a race weekend environment.
• Former Invicta Racing boss James Robinson recently called Fornaroli a “hidden gem” and predicted he would make his F1 debut in 2027.
• Fornaroli is part of McLaren's Driver Development Programme (DDP) and also supports the team in the simulator.
• He is the fifth driver to win back-to-back F3/GP3 and F2/GP2 titles, joining George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Gabriel Bortoleto.

What's next:

Fornaroli will continue simulator duties for McLaren at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Lando Norris won from pole last season. The Italian is eager for his next F1 track opportunity, with a potential race seat in 2027 looking increasingly plausible if his development stays on track.