Leonardo Fornaroli Gears Up for FP1 Sessions in Mexico and Brazil with McLaren

Leonardo Fornaroli, McLaren's reserve driver, is poised for more action behind the wheel of the MCL40, with upcoming appearances in Mexico City and São Paulo. These outings will round off McLaren's mandatory rookie sessions for the 2026 season.

Fornaroli has already made a splash this year with FP1 appearances in Barcelona and Hungary. To prepare for his upcoming challenges, he recently participated in McLaren's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) at Circuit Paul Ricard in France. There, he clocked nearly 350 kilometers on the Grand Prix track, focusing on long runs and exploring various setups in the championship-winning MCL39.

Jake Hughes, McLaren's test and development driver, also took part in the session, using the opportunity to enhance his simulator work. Fornaroli expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the MCL40 for more FP1 sessions, noting the unique challenges posed by Mexico City's altitude and the historic Interlagos circuit.

Fornaroli, who joined McLaren's Driver Development Programme less than a year ago, is grateful for the opportunities and support he's received. "It's a great opportunity for my own development and to help the team over their weekend," he said.

In addition to his F1 duties, Fornaroli will race in McLaren's Hypercar team for the 2027 World Endurance Championship, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As Fornaroli prepares for these FP1 sessions, McLaren continues to invest in his growth, underscoring their commitment to nurturing emerging talent.