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F2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli Joins McLaren Driver Development Programme
Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli has been signed to McLaren's driver development programme as a test and development driver following his back-to-back junior title wins.
By Michael de Vries - 2025-12-02T07:59:18.000Z - 2 min read
Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli has officially signed with McLaren to join the team's driver development programme. As part of the new contract, the Italian will take up an active role as test and development driver for the Formula 1 squad, providing support behind the scenes while furthering his career within a Grand Prix environment.
The signing comes on the heels of an extraordinary junior career in which Fornaroli secured back-to-back championship victories across Formula 3 and Formula 2. His rapid ascent through the single-seater ladder has marked him out as one of the most consistent performers in the junior categories, earning him a place on McLaren's roster.
Fornaroli's championship sequence began in earnest during the 2024 season, when he captured the Formula 3 title with Trident. He subsequently made the step up to Formula 2 and immediately mounted a successful campaign, clinching the main feeder series crown at his first attempt to complete a rare consecutive double across the two junior championships.
The path taken by Fornaroli closely reflects that of Gabriel Bortoleto, another former McLaren driver development prospect. Bortoleto similarly laid the groundwork for his career by winning the Formula 3 championship with Trident before moving into McLaren's development system and securing the Formula 2 title, establishing a clear precedent for Fornaroli's new role.
Under the terms of the agreement, Fornaroli will be integrated directly into McLaren's engineering operations. His primary responsibilities as a test and development driver will focus on simulator work and vehicle development, helping the race team evaluate setups and potential performance enhancements throughout the Grand Prix calendar.
Securing the reigning Formula 2 champion reinforces McLaren's ongoing strategy of recruiting proven talent from the junior category ranks. Fornaroli's addition to the driver development programme ensures that the team retains access to a driver who has demonstrated championship-winning capability in identical feeder series machinery.
With his appointment now finalized, Fornaroli transitions from junior racing contender to an integral member of McLaren's trackside and simulator support structure. The position provides the Italian with valuable experience inside a top-flight Formula 1 team as he begins his official duties for the upcoming season.