Fornaroli secures McLaren race seat for 2027 in pivotal career move

Leonardo Fornaroli will return to competitive racing in 2027 after McLaren confirmed the Italian as part of their Hypercar driver line-up for the World Endurance Championship. The reigning Formula 2 champion will take part in the British team's new endurance racing project, which includes an appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while retaining his position as a Formula 1 reserve driver.

The announcement gives Fornaroli a new opportunity to race regularly following a year spent working behind the scenes with McLaren's Formula 1 operation. The Italian joined the team's setup after securing the 2025 Formula 2 crown, adding to the Formula 3 championship he won the previous season.

Throughout 2026, Fornaroli contributed to McLaren's Formula 1 programme through simulator work, testing and development duties. He also made appearances in official practice sessions at the Spanish and Hungarian Grands Prix, gaining further experience in Formula 1 machinery. However, he did not contest a full racing championship during the season.

His new commitments will see him balance two different programmes in 2027, continuing to support McLaren's Formula 1 team while preparing for the challenges of endurance racing in the Hypercar category.

Fornaroli reacts to McLaren's Hypercar announcement

Fornaroli welcomed the chance to take on a new challenge with McLaren, explaining how his existing Formula 1 responsibilities helped create the opportunity to compete in the WEC: "Joining the McLaren Hypercar Team is an incredibly exciting next step in my career and I'm grateful that my role as McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 reserve driver has opened up this incredible opportunity," Fornaroli said.

"I'm delighted to be continuing in that role next year while also taking on this new challenge. To represent McLaren in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a huge honour, and I am ready to give everything as we take on this new challenge together."

The 2025 Formula 2 champion also highlighted the contribution of McLaren's driver development structure to his career, having progressed through the junior categories before securing his place within the organisation.

"I'd like to thank the McLaren Driver Development Programme for supporting me throughout my journey and for giving me the opportunity to develop my skills on such a competitive and prestigious stage."

Barclay explains why McLaren selected Fornaroli

McLaren Hypercar Team Principal James Barclay believes Fornaroli's performances in Formula 3 and Formula 2 demonstrate his potential to make an impact in endurance racing, despite his limited experience in the discipline.

"Leo is an exceptional talent: winning Formula 3 is a significant achievement, but to follow that by winning Formula 2 as a rookie underlines his natural talent and one of the most exciting drivers in motorsport," Barclay explained.

"His speed, consistency and maturity at such a young age helped him achieve a huge amount in the junior categories and those same attributes make him an exciting addition to our McLaren Hypercar Team."

Barclay also explained that his earlier experience with the Italian played a part in his positive assessment of the signing: "We have a great driver lineup forming, which blends experienced sports car drivers and now young talent for our debut season. I worked with Leo briefly in my previous role and his approach and performance impressed me very much, we both look forward to taking on McLaren's debut season in the World Endurance Championship together."