Fornaroli set for an IndyCar test with Arrow McLaren

Without a program for 2026, the 21-year-old Italian is already part of the development program of McLaren and also serves as a reserve pilot in Formula 1 for the Woking-based team alongside Pato O'Ward since the beginning of the year. These tests in IndyCar This is part of a strategy to develop young talent. "He is part of the McLaren driver program, and that is precisely why we created this program by developing the talents of tomorrow," as team principal Tony Kanaan explained to our colleagues at Racer.com.

This test driving the Dallara-Chevrolet is not expected to lead to a seat in IndyCar for Fornaroli, who remains focused on Formula 1: "His priority remains Formula 1. Will he test an IndyCar? Very likely, unless he signs with another Formula 1 team before then, because he could only test with us after the season," says Tony Kanaan.

Indeed, IndyCar teams are allowed additional test days to evaluate rookies, and for Arrow McLaren, these tests could only take place after the 2026 championship. Enzo Fittipaldi, previously used for this type of testing, no longer has IndyCar's permission to participate in these acclimatization tests, which is why Fornaroli could be behind the wheel.

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