McLaren: First Formula 1 Test for New Reserve Driver

Leonardo Fornaroli, the reigning Formula 2 champion, has completed his initial kilometers behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. Driving the 2023 McLaren MCL60, he completed a total of 110 laps on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya over Monday and Tuesday.

"It's an incredible feeling to drive a Formula 1 car on track," stated the Italian driver, who covered more than 500 kilometers across both days. He commented that he "learned an immense amount in many different areas of Formula 1 driving" during the test.

Fornaroli emphasized, "Even though these cars are significantly different from the current generation, it's still essential for me as a reserve driver to spend time behind the wheel." He added, "It also helps me to reconcile the feeling of real driving with the work in the simulator – an important part of my role in supporting the team. Many thanks to everyone at McLaren for this opportunity." The 21-year-old is scheduled to undertake further TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) tests in an older Formula 1 car later this year. "Now I'm heading to Japan to support the team during the race weekend," he announced.

According to Alessandro Alunni Bravi, McLaren is "very satisfied" with Fornaroli's inaugural Formula 1 test. He noted that Fornaroli made "consistently fantastic progress" over the two days in Spain and adapted "incredibly quickly" to the Formula 1 car. Alunni Bravi commented that Fornaroli "continued to demonstrate the qualities we have come to appreciate during his successful junior career: consistency, his ability to learn quickly, and to deliver performance."

Fornaroli won the Formula 3 championship in 2024 and, a year later, the Formula 2 title as a rookie. Despite these achievements, he did not secure a permanent cockpit in Formula 1 for the 2026 season, which is why he joined McLaren as a reserve driver. Fornaroli will share this role in 2026 with IndyCar Vice-Champion Patricio O'Ward.