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McLaren hands F2 champion Silverstone F1 test
Leonardo Fornaroli has continued his Formula 1 preparations in a test at Silverstone with McLaren.
McLaren has handed Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli his second Formula 1 test after being confirmed as a reserve driver for the 2026 season.
Fornaroli is one of the hottest prospects in motorsport at this moment, having won both the Formula 3 and F2 titles back-to-back. This saw him follow in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc – when F3 was GP3 -, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Adding to the Italian 21-year-old’s stock is the fact that he achieved this without the backing of an F1 young driver programme, with McLaren only signing him over the winter, following his success in F2.
F1 teams are permitted to complete in-season testing of previous cars [TPC] running, and McLaren used this to add to Fornaroli’s experience from Barcelona in March, to give further laps at Silverstone on Tuesday, in what the team described as an “evolution” of his initial test.
“Another good day on track – it was amazing to be back in the MCL60,” said Fornaroli. “Silverstone is one of my favourite circuits, so I’m grateful to McLaren for the opportunity to get back behind the wheel of an F1 car there.
“With it being my second test, the run plan was more advanced, so I got to try some different setups and run with different levels of fuel, which continues to support my understanding of driving a Formula 1 car. I’m very happy with today, and I continued to make improvements from my test a few weeks ago, getting even more comfortable with these machines.
“I look forward to continuing to test this year, something that is very important as part of my role as McLaren Mastercard Reserve Driver, and for my development within the DDP programme.”
The test saw Fornaroli complete 68 laps, 393km, with the programme focusing on long runs, low fuel loads, and saw him try both the hard and soft compound tyres.
Initially signed to McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, the Italian has since been confirmed as an official reserve driver for the season, a role he shares with IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward.
With teams required to make each car available twice in FP1 sessions for rookie drivers, it is expected that Fornaroli will make his official F1 debut later this year, while O’Ward will add to his previous outings.
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Leonardo Fornaroli has continued his Formula 1 preparations in a test at Silverstone with McLaren.
McLaren has handed Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli his second Formula 1 test after being confirmed as a reserve driver for the 2026 season.
Fornaroli is one of the hottest prospects in motorsport at this moment, having won both the Formula 3 and F2 titles back-to-back. This saw him follow in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc – when F3 was GP3 -, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Adding to the Italian 21-year-old’s stock is the fact that he achieved this without the backing of an F1 young driver programme, with McLaren only signing him over the winter, following his success in F2.
F1 teams are permitted to complete in-season testing of previous cars [TPC] running, and McLaren used this to add to Fornaroli’s experience from Barcelona in March, to give further laps at Silverstone on Tuesday, in what the team described as an “evolution” of his initial test.
“Another good day on track – it was amazing to be back in the MCL60,” said Fornaroli. “Silverstone is one of my favourite circuits, so I’m grateful to McLaren for the opportunity to get back behind the wheel of an F1 car there.
“With it being my second test, the run plan was more advanced, so I got to try some different setups and run with different levels of fuel, which continues to support my understanding of driving a Formula 1 car. I’m very happy with today, and I continued to make improvements from my test a few weeks ago, getting even more comfortable with these machines.
“I look forward to continuing to test this year, something that is very important as part of my role as McLaren Mastercard Reserve Driver, and for my development within the DDP programme.”
The test saw Fornaroli complete 68 laps, 393km, with the programme focusing on long runs, low fuel loads, and saw him try both the hard and soft compound tyres.
Initially signed to McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, the Italian has since been confirmed as an official reserve driver for the season, a role he shares with IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward.
With teams required to make each car available twice in FP1 sessions for rookie drivers, it is expected that Fornaroli will make his official F1 debut later this year, while O’Ward will add to his previous outings.
McLaren has handed Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli his second Formula 1 test after being confirmed as a reserve driver for the 2026 season.
Fornaroli is one of the hottest prospects in motorsport at this moment, having won both the Formula 3 and F2 titles back-to-back. This saw him follow in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc – when F3 was GP3 -, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Adding to the Italian 21-year-old’s stock is the fact that he achieved this without the backing of an F1 young driver programme, with McLaren only signing him over the winter, following his success in F2.
F1 teams are permitted to complete in-season testing of previous cars [TPC] running, and McLaren used this to add to Fornaroli’s experience from Barcelona in March, to give further laps at Silverstone on Tuesday, in what the team described as an “evolution” of his initial test.
“Another good day on track – it was amazing to be back in the MCL60,” said Fornaroli. “Silverstone is one of my favourite circuits, so I’m grateful to McLaren for the opportunity to get back behind the wheel of an F1 car there.
“With it being my second test, the run plan was more advanced, so I got to try some different setups and run with different levels of fuel, which continues to support my understanding of driving a Formula 1 car. I’m very happy with today, and I continued to make improvements from my test a few weeks ago, getting even more comfortable with these machines.
“I look forward to continuing to test this year, something that is very important as part of my role as McLaren Mastercard Reserve Driver, and for my development within the DDP programme.”
The test saw Fornaroli complete 68 laps, 393km, with the programme focusing on long runs, low fuel loads, and saw him try both the hard and soft compound tyres.
Initially signed to McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, the Italian has since been confirmed as an official reserve driver for the season, a role he shares with IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward.
With teams required to make each car available twice in FP1 sessions for rookie drivers, it is expected that Fornaroli will make his official F1 debut later this year, while O’Ward will add to his previous outings.
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