What prospects do Leonardo Fornaroli have if he wins the F2 title?

Since its return in 2017, the Formula 2 serves as an aptitude test for young pilots eager to Formula 1Leonardo Fornaroli has proven himself, and the rankings prove him right: he's ready to move up a level. Yet Formula 1 seems to be neglecting the Invicta Racing driver.

With three rounds remaining in the championship, Leonardo Fornaroli held the lead in the standings with a 21-point lead before the Sprint in Baku. A significant gap, but not insurmountable for Luke Browning, who is close behind in second place. With remarkable consistency, the champion of Formula 3 2024 has distinguished himself by consistently placing in the top ten in every race he has finished this season, with only two retirements in the eleven rounds run. Despite such a strong season, Fornaroli has yet to secure a position in Formula 1. However, if he wins the Formula 2 title, the Italian will not be able to compete in it again. The FIA ​​stipulates that the Formula 2 winner cannot compete in the category again.

Winning the championship this year would prove to be a poisoned chalice for the Invicta Racing driver, given that opportunities are minimal or nonexistent in the premier class. Fornaroli also approaches the competition with a significant handicap: he is not affiliated with any Formula 1 team. Unlike the Italian, his rival Luke Browning benefits from the support of the academy. WilliamsThe latter would thus find himself in a better position than Fornaroli if he were to win the trophy, working closely with Grove's structure in the future.

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Out of sight, out of mind

Like Gabriel Bortoleto, the Sauber driver who won F3 and then F2 in his first season, Fornaroli, after conquering F3 in his second year, is now on track to follow up with an F2 title. If he were to win the 2025 championship, the native of Piacenza (Italy) would, unlike Bortoleto, risk finding himself in an uncomfortable position, similar to Theo Pourchaire, 2023 F2 champion and driver ofELMS or Felipe Drugovich, 2022 F2 champion and reserve driver Aston Martin for the third consecutive year. The former Brazilian champion had campaigned against this rule, which he considered unfair, in vain. In 2022, Bruno Michel, president of Formulas 2 and 3, responded negatively to Felipe Drugovich's calls: " [The young drivers] would be fighting against people who are probably not better than them but have much more experience, know all the circuits, know the car, know the teams, know this and that. Since then, the exploits of former champions have faded from the collective memory. Those who won the crown that was supposed to open the doors to F1 have had few opportunities to prove themselves since their triumph.

Even though Richard Verschoor is participating in his fifth consecutive season in Formula 2, the future 2025 champion will be banned from running again in the category. A contradiction defended by the director who believed that in the promotion formulas " either we go up or we leave "The relevance of this rule could therefore be challenged again if Fornaroli finds himself without a steering wheel for the 2026 season.

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What opportunities are there in Formula 1 for next season?

Despite the opening of two new seats in Formula 1 with the arrival of a new team in 2026, the competition is fiercer than ever. This is a consequence of the arrival of six new drivers this season. No place for Fornaroli at Cadillac, which has bet on experience with Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas. While Classic Mercedes for sale has not yet officially confirmed George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, the German team does not appear to be a real option either.

So thatAlpine Although he could have presented himself as a viable alternative to Fornaroli until now, Briatore believes that no one stands out enough in F2 to race alongside the Frenchman. Pierre Gasly. " It's between Franco [Colapinto] and Paul [Aron] ", declared the transalpine to The Race. Although Red Bull and Racing Bulls have not yet officially announced all their drivers, Arvid Lindblad, from the junior program of the winged bull brand, would be the favorite.

If not as a regular in Formula 1, Leonardo Fornaroli could occupy a reserve position, like Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin). Otherwise, he could turn to his cousin the Formula E, as Felipe Drugovich (Andretti) will do for the 2025-26 season. The Italian notably tested the category in Berlin with Jaguar during the rookie tests in July. Could it otherwise be towards theEndurance What would the pilot be like, like Théo Pourchaire?

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