McLaren sign F1 reserve Leonardo Fornaroli for 2027 Hypercar programme and Le Mans after Haas snub
McLaren confirmed on 19 October that F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, 21, will race its 2027 WEC Hypercar, including Le Mans, while staying F1 reserve.
McLaren announced on Monday 19 October that Leonardo Fornaroli will race in its Hypercar programme in the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship, including his first 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 21-year-old Italian will also remain McLaren's Formula 1 reserve driver.
Fornaroli is the 2025 Formula 2 champion and the 2024 Formula 3 champion. He did not get a full-time F1 seat for 2026, and he spent this year as a test and reserve driver for McLaren.
A fourth name for the Hypercar line-up
Fornaroli becomes the fourth confirmed driver for McLaren's WEC entry. He joins Alex Lynn, Laurens Vanthoor and Mikkel Jensen. McLaren has not said which drivers will share each car, and two seats have still to be announced.
The car is the MCL-HY, which is being developed to the LMDh rules with United Autosports, according to Grande Premio. The report says Fornaroli has already driven it and that his first major test was due to begin on 19 October.
What happens with F1
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remain McLaren's race drivers. Fornaroli will keep working in the simulator and on testing, and will be available at Grand Prix weekends when needed.
McLaren's James Barclay called him "an exceptional talent" and praised his speed, consistency and maturity. Fornaroli said that representing McLaren in the WEC and at Le Mans would be a huge honour.
The Haas link
Fornaroli had been linked with the second Haas seat for 2027 alongside Oliver Bearman. GPFans reports that he tested for Haas alongside Rafael Camara, but the team gave the seat to Camara last week. Camara is the current F2 championship leader. That left Fornaroli without an F1 race drive for next year.
His new programme gives him a race seat in 2027 while he stays close to McLaren's F1 team.
Sportscar racing in the news
McLaren's WEC debut comes as the current season winds down. Toyota clinched the WEC manufacturers' title with a one-two finish at the 6 Hours of Barcelona, held 16-18 October, Motorsport Week reported.
Key takeaways
- Fornaroli will race McLaren's Hypercar in the 2027 WEC, including Le Mans.
- He stays on as McLaren's F1 reserve driver.
- He is the fourth confirmed driver, with two seats still to be named.
- He missed out on the Haas seat, which went to Camara.
FAQ
Q: Who is Leonardo Fornaroli? An Italian driver, aged 21, who won the FIA Formula 3 title in 2024 and the Formula 2 title in 2025.
Q: Will he still be involved with McLaren's F1 team? Yes. He remains reserve driver and keeps simulator and testing duties, alongside his WEC programme.
Q: Who else is in McLaren's Hypercar line-up? Alex Lynn, Laurens Vanthoor and Mikkel Jensen are confirmed. Two seats are still open.
Sources: Motorsport Week, Grande Premio, GPFans