One of motorsport’s most exciting young talents, Fornaroli has established himself as an exceptional competitor through a remarkable rise to the top of the single-seater ladder. In 2024 and 2025, his back-to-back FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles – a feat only ever achieved by four others, including McLaren’s own Oscar Piastri - showcased his outstanding speed, consistency, composure and racecraft in the most competitive junior Formula.
This earned him a position with the McLaren Driver Development Programme where he supported the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team in 2026. The 21-year-old will now bring that formidable combination of speed, intelligence and championship-winning pedigree to the McLaren Hypercar Team, demonstrating the strength of the cross-series young driver programme.
The young Italian is the latest in a line of exciting up-and-coming talent to join the WEC ranks as the fast-growing series enjoys a golden era of racing. He will make his series debut in 2027 at the wheel of the McLaren MCL-HY, joining previously announced drivers Mikkel Jensen, Alex Lynn and 2024 WEC Drivers’ Champion Laurens Vanthoor, and will continue in his role as McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 reserve driver.
Leo Fornaroli, McLaren Racing Driver said:
“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. I’m delighted to be continuing in that role next year while also taking on this new challenge. To represent McLaren in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a huge honour, and I am ready to give everything as we take on this new challenge together.
“I’d like to thank the McLaren Driver Development Programme for supporting me throughout my journey and for giving me the opportunity to develop my skills on such a competitive and prestigious stage.”
James Barclay, Team Principal McLaren Hypercar Team, said:
“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. His speed, consistency and maturity at such a young age helped him achieve a huge amount in the junior categories and those same attributes make him an exciting addition to our McLaren Hypercar Team. We have a great driver lineup forming, which blends experienced sports car drivers and now young talent for our debut season. I worked with Leo briefly in my previous role and his approach and performance impressed me very much, we both look forward to taking on McLaren’s debut season in the World Endurance Championship together.”
- 24 Heures du Mans
