Source: Official Team Post via X
Fornaroli Secures McLaren WEC Seat Amid F1 Grid Disappointment
Leonardo Fornaroli, the reigning Formula 2 champion, will join McLaren's 2027 World Endurance Championship line-up, despite missing out on a Haas F1 seat. His former team boss calls it a 'crime' that the F1 grid continues to elude him.
Leonardo Fornaroli, having narrowly missed out on a Haas F1 seat for 2027, will instead join McLaren's World Endurance Championship Hypercar team. The reigning Formula 2 champion, who won the title in style, will also take part in FP1 sessions in Mexico and Brazil as part of his ongoing role as McLaren's reserve driver.
James Robinson, Fornaroli's former boss at Invicta Racing in F2, expressed mixed emotions. He's delighted Fornaroli has found a home at McLaren but regards it as a 'crime against the junior ladder' that the young Italian isn't on the F1 grid.
Fornaroli was part of a competitive Haas shoot-out at Portimao, vying for a 2027 race seat alongside Rafael Camara, Jack Doohan, and Ryo Hirakawa. Ultimately, it was Camara who secured the spot, following in the footsteps of Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto, another Invicta graduate to F1.
Robinson stands firm in his belief that Fornaroli deserves his shot in F1. "He's unquestionably the biggest talent not in F1 right now," Robinson stated in an interview. "It's a crying shame he won't be racing next season, but I'm hopeful he will be in the mix for 2028. McLaren's continued commitment as his reserve team offers some reassurance."
Fornaroli's rapid rise through the ranks, with back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships, placed him among elite company. "Look at those who won F2 in their rookie season: Leclerc, Russell, Bortoleto, and Piastri. Fornaroli is another star in that constellation, and it's perplexing he's yet to start a Grand Prix," Robinson added.
Despite a second year without an F1 seat, Fornaroli's future with McLaren looks promising. As a full-time driver for their WEC debut, he'll finally compete wheel-to-wheel again. "I'm thrilled for Leo," Robinson said. "McLaren values him, and he's in a strong position to contribute significantly to their WEC campaign. It beats another year of just FP1s and simulator work."
Fornaroli's journey may have taken a detour, but his talent remains on the radar. With McLaren's support, his racing skills will continue to develop, keeping him in the conversation for a future F1 opportunity.