Leonardo Fornaroli has completed his third testing of a previous car outing as a McLaren reserve driver, logging 77 laps of the Circuit of The Americas across two days in the team’s 2023 challenger, the MCL60.
COTA debut for the Italian reserve
The 21-year-old Italian, who is one of a rare group of drivers to have won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles back-to-back, used the private test to continue building Formula 1 experience within McLaren’s Driver Development Programme. It was Fornaroli’s first time at COTA, and by his own account, he made the most of it.
“It’s always amazing to drive an F1 car,” he said after the session. “I’m grateful to McLaren for giving me another opportunity to get behind the wheel of the MCL60. I’m getting more comfortable with the car and also the team. The run plan was a step up from my last test in Silverstone.”
The outing included practice starts, giving Fornaroli a deeper understanding of race-day procedures. “We got to do some practice starts, which continued to give me a better understanding of what it takes to drive an F1 car in a session,” he said. “Everyone in the DDP continues to support and push me with these tests as I continue my development.”
“This was my first time driving around COTA. I really enjoyed it, and I am already looking forward to my next opportunity in an F1 car.”
A select group — and a clear template
Fornaroli sits in distinguished company when it comes to the F3-to-F2 back-to-back title sequence. George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Gabriel Bortoleto have all achieved the same feat before him. That each of those four has reached Formula 1 — with Piastri now a race winner at McLaren — gives Fornaroli’s backers reason for confidence.
Former Invicta Racing boss James Robinson, who worked closely with Fornaroli in junior categories, has described him as a “hidden gem” and expressed a clear desire to see the Italian step up to the Formula 1 grid in 2027. Despite his junior achievements, a seat did not materialise for 2026 — a path that mirrors Piastri’s own experience, when the Australian had to wait a year before landing at McLaren despite his own impressive junior record.
In the meantime, Fornaroli’s role at McLaren keeps him embedded at the sharp end of the sport. The team he is supporting has won back-to-back Constructors’ Championships, and his next contribution will come from the simulator ahead of an imminent race weekend.
“Until then, I’ll be supporting the F1 team in the Simulator,” Fornaroli said — a reminder that even when he is not behind the wheel on track, the work continues.
With the 2026 season now well underway and the driver market for 2027 beginning to take shape in the background, Fornaroli’s continued development at McLaren puts him in position to make a serious case when seats become available. His next on-track opportunity in an F1 car is still to be confirmed.