The current Formula 2 season is incredibly tight, with just 30 points separating the top five drivers. Leonardo Fornaroli leads the pack, but his potential championship win presents a unique dilemma for his future.
Why it matters
Fornaroli, despite leading the F2 championship, faces an uncertain path to Formula 1. F2 rules prevent champions from returning, and F1 teams are currently prioritizing experienced drivers over new talent due to the upcoming 2026 regulatory changes. This situation puts both Fornaroli and his team, Invicta Racing, in a difficult position.
The big picture
The F2 championship is fiercely contested. While exciting McLaren and Williams juniors, Alex Dunne and Luke Browning, are in the top five, and Richard Verschoor holds third, Fornaroli is far from guaranteed the title. However, if he does win, he would join an elite group including Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri as back-to-back junior champions (F3 and F2). But this success would also bar him from racing in F2 again, pushing him towards an F1 grid that currently has limited openings for rookies.
The details
- F2 Champion Rule: The rule prevents F2 champions from competing in the series again, designed to ensure new talent gets a chance, but it creates a bottleneck during major F1 regulation shifts.
- F1's 2026 Focus: Teams are largely looking for stability and experience ahead of the significant 2026 regulation overhaul, making them less inclined to risk a rookie, with exceptions like Arvid Lindblad at Red Bull being rare.
- Team Dilemma: Invicta Racing is struggling to plan for 2026 as Fornaroli's eligibility is uncertain, risking them missing out on other talents while they wait.
- Driver Market: The broader F1 driver market is still unsettled, with major pieces like Cadillac's lineup yet to fall into place, adding to the uncertainty for young talents like Fornaroli.
What's next
Fornaroli's most likely immediate step is a reserve driver role in F1. While not a full race seat, Oscar Piastri's career trajectory — starting as a third driver at Alpine before moving to McLaren and competing for the F1 title — serves as a compelling precedent. Given Fornaroli's consistent strong performances, it's widely expected that he will secure a place in the F1 paddock next year, even if initially in a development or reserve capacity.