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McLaren have reaffirmed their faith in Leonardo Fornaroli, significantly expanding the Italian prodigy's role. The young driver will continue as the team's third and reserve driver in Formula 1 for 2027, while also taking on a prestigious new challenge: a debut in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) behind the wheel of the British marque's brand-new Hypercar prototype.
This marks the beginning of a crucial new chapter in Fornaroli's career. He will balance his Formula 1 duties with a return to top-tier racing, playing a key part in the Woking-based outfit's ambitious bid to conquer endurance racing once again.
In 2026, Fornaroli completed a dedicated development programme that included Previous Car Testing (TPC), two Free Practice 1 outings during Grand Prix weekends, and extensive simulator sessions. This work will carry on seamlessly into the upcoming season alongside his WEC commitments.
"The programme McLaren provided me with this year was incredible," Fornaroli told motorsport.com. "The testing, the two FP1 sessions, and the countless hours in the simulator provided me with invaluable experience. Every time I work with the team, I learn something new. I am immensely grateful for their trust and the opportunities they've given me to develop."
His Formula 1 mileage will provide a solid foundation for the transition to endurance racing—a discipline that inevitably requires an adjustment period. While the Italian acknowledges the steep learning curve, he is confident his experience will prove vital in managing traffic, complex strategies, and the handling of a radically different machine in a fiercely competitive championship.
Fornaroli has already enjoyed a brief initial taste of the new prototype, albeit for just a single installation lap. Full-scale testing gets underway immediately, allowing him to get up to speed with the car's nuances and contribute to its development ahead of its competitive debut.
"The feeling was incredible," said the driver. "Sitting in a closed cockpit for the first time, closing the door, and pulling away under electric power before the internal combustion engine fired up was completely new to me, but tremendously exciting. I can't wait to log proper mileage in testing."
Fornaroli is set to play an active role in developing the car and has full faith in the British squad's setup ahead of their maiden campaign: "Being part of this project feels amazing. Our driver line-up is exceptionally strong, blending vast experience with youthful energy. The engineers and mechanics are world-class. It's McLaren—an organisation with a storied heritage in motorsport."
Beyond technical growth and career progression, the expanded programme gives Fornaroli what he craved most: a return to wheel-to-wheel racing after spending a season watching from the sidelines as a reserve driver.
"I definitely missed racing," he admitted. "Every weekend at the track as a third driver, I felt that healthy envy watching Lando and Oscar battle it out on circuit. So getting the chance to race again is an indescribable feeling."
The pinnacle of the 2027 calendar will be the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. For the young Italian, it represents a long-held dream fulfilled far sooner than expected: "Le Mans has always been a goal of mine. I never even dared to hope I'd race there this early. I follow the race every year, staying up late into the night to watch. Having the chance to compete there is truly a childhood dream come true."
As a result, the 2027 season is shaping up to be a defining milestone for Fornaroli's racing future.
On one hand, he retains his foothold in McLaren's Formula 1 setup, deepening his ties with the team and continuing his professional development. On the other, he makes his return to premier world championship racing while taking on a key role in developing a clean-sheet car.
These dual, complementary roles underscore McLaren's continued commitment to the Italian talent. The British outfit has lined up a comprehensive programme combining driver development, crucial technical expertise, and—most importantly for Fornaroli himself—the opportunity to go racing once again.
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