McLaren names Leonardo Fornaroli reserve driver and WEC driver

Fornaroli’s 2027 Dual Role

McLaren confirmed Leonardo Fornaroli as its Formula 1 reserve and third driver for the 2027 season. The Woking-based manufacturer is also adding a World Endurance Championship programme to his schedule for 2027, where he will drive the new McLaren Hypercar. This decision extends the commitment the team has shown to the Italian F2 champion. Throughout 2026, Fornaroli worked with the F1 team through extensive simulator work, two Grand Prix free practice appearances, and Testing of Previous Cars sessions. I see this as a way to keep his development going in F1 while he returns to top-level competition in endurance racing. His role in the WEC will involve playing an active part in developing the Hypercar before its debut. Fornaroli told Motorsport.com that the programme McLaren gave him this year was "incredible." He noted that the TPC days, the two FP1 sessions, and the simulator work were all helpful experiences. He told Motorsport.com that he wants to thank McLaren for the support and the development opportunities they are giving him. Fornaroli believes the team has the necessary engineers and mechanics to meet their ambitions in the championship. The team expects the driver line-up to be extremely competitive, containing a mix of experienced drivers and talented young drivers, and he believes the organization has everything it needs to meet the challenge of its debut WEC season.

Testing at Paul Ricard

Fornaroli completed a test at the Paul Ricard circuit in France alongside McLaren test driver Jake Hughes. This session follows a previous experience where the driver completed a single lap in the McLaren Hypercar. That initial experience was limited to just a handful of kilometres and provided sensations unlike anything he had experienced before. His first proper test with the team begins today, October 19, 2026, to facilitate development work for the Hypercar’s WEC debut. Fornaroli told Motorsport.com that the sensation of entering a closed cockpit, shutting the door, and starting on electric power before the combustion engine kicked in was "really, really cool." He noted that he will have much to learn in the WEC, including overtaking, strategy, and getting to know a completely new car. Fornaroli will work with the engineering staff to ensure the Hypercar is ready for the 2027 season. Fornaroli will also play an active role in developing the Hypercar, which means he will spend significant time working with engineers and mechanics to prepare the vehicle for its upcoming debut in the World Endurance Championship next season. This transition will require him to adapt to the different demands of a long-distance race car. His experience in Formula 1 provides a foundation for this transition to endurance racing.

Returning to Competition

The 2027 season provides Fornaroli the chance to race wheel-to-wheel again after a year spent largely on the sidelines as a reserve driver. He admitted to Motorsport.com that he has missed racing and gets "very jealous" when he sees Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri racing every weekend. I find his honesty about feeling left out while watching the F1 drivers from the pit lane to be quite blunt. The WEC programme fulfills a desire to get back into competitive racing. Fornaroli also plans to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027. He has followed the 24 Hours every year and even stays up late into the night to watch it. He said he never expected to have the opportunity to race at Le Mans as early as next year. This race has been a dream of his for many years. He believes that racing at such a unique place will be an incredible feeling. The prospect of competing in such a high-level endurance event provides a powerful motivation for the Italian driver.