McLaren has confirmed that Leonardo Fornaroli will race in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2027 while continuing as the team’s Formula 1 reserve driver, giving the reigning Formula 2 champion a new opportunity to develop his career with the British outfit.
The 21-year-old Italian will represent McLaren in its upcoming Hypercar programme, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team announced the decision on Monday, October 19.
Fornaroli described the opportunity as an exciting new chapter in his career, while making clear that he intends to continue working towards his long-term ambitions in Formula 1.
“This is an incredibly exciting next step in my career, and I am grateful that my role as a Formula 1 reserve driver has given me this incredible opportunity,” Fornaroli said.
“I am very much looking forward to continuing in this role next year while also taking on this new challenge.”
The Italian added that representing McLaren in the WEC and at Le Mans was a “great honor”.
“I am ready to give my all as we take on this new challenge together,” he continued, thanking McLaren’s driver development programme for supporting his progression through the junior categories.
McLaren praises Fornaroli’s exceptional talent
James Barclay, team principal of McLaren’s Hypercar racing team, praised Fornaroli’s achievements and highlighted the qualities that persuaded the team to bring him into its endurance racing operation.
“Winning Formula 3 is a remarkable achievement, but the fact that he then went on to win Formula 2 as a rookie underlines his natural talent and makes him one of the most exciting drivers in motorsport,” Barclay explained.
He also pointed to Fornaroli’s speed, consistency and maturity, describing those characteristics as key reasons why the Italian should be an exciting addition to the team.
“Fornaroli’s approach and achievements have greatly impressed me,” Barclay added. “We are both looking forward to tackling McLaren’s debut season in the World Endurance Championship together.”
Fornaroli won the Formula 3 championship in 2024 before securing the Formula 2 title in 2025 during his rookie campaign. Those consecutive championship victories strengthened his reputation as one of the most promising young drivers in the sport.
His move into endurance racing will now give him experience in a different category while remaining part of McLaren’s Formula 1 operation.
Can Fornaroli still secure a Formula 1 seat?
Fornaroli has recently confirmed that securing a full-time Formula 1 drive remains one of his ambitions. However, the immediate route to a race seat at McLaren appears difficult.
The team’s current Formula 1 line-up consists of world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, both of whom are established at the front of the grid. With McLaren having invested heavily in its current pairing, there is no obvious opening for its reserve driver in the near future.
That does not necessarily mean Fornaroli’s Formula 1 ambitions are over. Reserve-driver duties can provide valuable experience with the team, while his WEC programme will allow him to demonstrate his adaptability in another highly competitive championship.
Endurance racing also offers a significant challenge in its own right. Competing in the Hypercar category and at Le Mans will require Fornaroli to adjust to different race formats, car characteristics and the demands of long-distance competition.
For McLaren, the decision provides an opportunity to develop a young champion across two programmes. For Fornaroli, it represents a chance to gain further experience at the highest level of motorsport while remaining connected to his Formula 1 ambitions.
Whether that eventually translates into a full-time F1 opportunity remains to be seen, but McLaren’s latest announcement confirms that the team intends to continue investing in his development.
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Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
