Method 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli has been signed to McLaren’s driver growth programme, and can occupy a job because the Method 1 group’s check and growth driver.
Fornaroli secured back-to-back F3 and F2 titles, following within the footsteps of Gabriel Bortoleto – one other former McLaren growth prospect – by profitable the F3 title with Trident in 2024, earlier than taking the F2 title with Invicta this yr.
The Italian cast his path to a profitable F2 championship bid with out backing from an F1 group’s junior programme, and acquired his title over the road in Qatar after ending second within the Sunday function race.
His achievements in junior classes, characterised by a constant strategy, have now introduced him to the eye of McLaren. The Woking squad had area in its junior roster after the mid-season departure of Alex Dunne from its development squad.
There’s a chance that Fornaroli may very well be drafted into the group’s line-up for FP1 in Abu Dhabi, as Oscar Piastri has to surrender his seat another time this yr forward of the championship finale. The group’s decide for the opening Abu Dhabi session is presently unconfirmed.
“I’m extremely proud to be becoming a member of the McLaren Driver Improvement Programme after one other profitable yr on observe,” mentioned Fornaroli.
Leonardo Fornaroli, Invicta Racing, Arvid Lindblad, Campos Racing, Dino Beganovic, Hitech TGR
Picture by: Method Motorsport Ltd
“Successful each the FIA Method 3 and Method 2 titles has been an vital step in my journey, and I’m motivated to take the following step in my growth by means of the programme as I work towards my final aim of racing on the highest stage.
“I’m very grateful to McLaren for this chance, and to everybody who has supported me all through my profession thus far. I can’t wait to get began and work intently with the remainder of the group.”
McLaren has additionally added Richard Verschoor, one in every of Fornaroli’s championship rivals, to its growth programme. The Dutchman has been a frequent fixture in F2 throughout the previous few years, and was briefly a part of Crimson Bull’s junior group throughout his days racing within the Method Renault Eurocup.
Verschoor confirmed earlier within the yr that the 2025 season could be his final in F2, having raced within the class since 2021.
Spanish karting champion Christian Costoya additionally joins McLaren’s junior programme, who will race on the F4 Center East Championship’s season opener at Yas Marina in January.
“It’s a key precedence that we proceed to develop our expertise pipeline to supply choices for all of our increasing racing groups,” mentioned McLaren’s driver growth chief Alessandro Alunni Bravi.
“We sit up for working intently with all our drivers in 2026 as they proceed their particular person growth at numerous levels of their profession with the assist of the programme by means of a variety of testing and development alternatives throughout all of our racing sequence.”
We would like your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
Trending Merchandise
