Rising star Leonardo Fornaroli will spearhead McLaren's new Hypercar programme in the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship after a direct Formula 1 race seat opportunity ultimately did not materialise for the upcoming seasons.
Fornaroli arrives with a remarkable recent racing CV, having successfully followed in the footsteps of Oscar Piastri by securing the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 championship titles back-to-back during the 2024 and 2025 motorsport campaigns as a true standout talent.
Throughout the current season, he has served diligently as a reserve driver for the British squad in Formula 1, gaining vital mileage by making two official FP1 free practice appearances at the circuits in Barcelona and the Hungaroring.
However, with established stars like Lando Norris securely contracted to long-term race seats alongside his teammate through 2027, Fornaroli's immediate avenues to transition directly into a full-time Grand Prix starting grid position remained heavily restricted.
Recognizing his immense potential, McLaren announced that Fornaroli will maintain his F1 reserve duties next year while simultaneously tackling his debut campaign in the FIA WEC behind the wheel of the brand's new Hypercar project.
He will share driving duties in the MCL-HY alongside established sportscar names including Alex Lynn, Mikkel Jensen, and Laurens Vanthoor, completing a formidable roster as the manufacturer prepares for its long-awaited top-class return.
The agreement also guarantees Fornaroli's maiden appearance at the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance classic. McLaren Hypercar team principal James Barclay has expressed profound confidence in welcoming the young Italian charger.
"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 stated regarding his upcoming endurance racing debut.
"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 emphasized when discussing the team's driver lineup strategy.
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