Leonardo Fornaroli takes the wheel of a McLaren in Barcelona

As F1 heads to Japan, the reigning champion of F2Leonardo Fornaroli took the wheel of a Formula 1 for the first time in his young career. An objective already stated last December during an interview with AUTOhebdo. « Formula 1 is my main objective and it will be my priority next year. (Interview dating from December 2025, Ed.)I will take this year as an opportunity to learn so that I am ready to arrive in F1 as soon as possible. “, he confided.

The young Italian thus had his first opportunity to learn behind the wheel of an MCL60, completing 110 laps (512 km) on the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit in Spain. The team is very pleased with Leonardo's tests in Barcelona. He showed fantastic progress throughout the session, adapting incredibly quickly to Formula 1. He thus confirmed the qualities of consistency, performance, and rapid learning that we had already observed during his successful career in junior formulas. congratulates Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Head of Commercial Affairs for McLaren. This type of testing is crucial to ensure he is ready for his role as a reservist, while also promoting his progress within our development program. »

On a track already familiar to him from his years in junior formulas, Leonardo Fornaroli completed his first laps in F1 during two days of TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) conducted on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th March. It's an incredible feeling to drive an F1 car on the track. rejoices the former Invicta player. The last two days have been exceptional, and I've learned a tremendous amount about the many facets of driving a Formula 1 car. Although these cars are quite different from the current generation, accumulating track time remains essential in my role as a reserve driver. It also helps me correlate the physical sensations of driving with my work in the simulator to support the team. "As a reminder, this car, driven by Oscar piastri et Lando Norris In 2023, it had given the papaya team a total of nine podium finishes.

Announced as a member of the Woking-based team's development program after his Formula 2 championship win, the Italian is also a reserve driver, alongside Mexican Pato O'Ward. He could therefore be called upon to replace Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris should any problems arise.

« I'm not racing this season; everything is new to me. Fornaroli slipped during the F1 pre-season tests in Bahrain. I'm trying to learn as much as possible from the regular drivers. I'm going to spend as much time as I can with the engineers to really get to grips with the car. I trust the process, whether it's through the simulator or the test days (TPC). "For now, the newcomer to the premier category has decided to fully concentrate on his learning, thus putting aside competition for this season.

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