Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
McLaren names Fornaroli F1 reserve and WEC Hypercar driver for 2027
McLaren has named Leonardo Fornaroli its F1 reserve and third driver for 2027, while also giving him a World Endurance Championship (WEC) role.
The Italian driver has worked with McLaren in 2026 through simulator sessions, testing and two Grand Prix practice appearances.
He will make his WEC debut in McLaren’s new Hypercar, as the team prepares to return to top-level endurance racing.
The two programmes will let Fornaroli continue developing in F1 while learning a different kind of racing.
He will also help develop the Hypercar, which McLaren plans to race in its first WEC season.
Fornaroli has driven the car for one lap, and his first full test is scheduled to begin today.
He expects to learn about the car, overtaking and race strategy as he adapts to endurance racing.
McLaren has named Leonardo Fornaroli its Formula 1 reserve and third driver for the 2027 season.
He will also make his World Endurance Championship debut in McLaren’s new Hypercar.
Fornaroli will continue his F1 development programme alongside his WEC commitments.
In 2026, his McLaren work included testing previous cars, two Grand Prix free practice appearances and simulator work.
He has driven the Hypercar for one lap and is due to begin his first proper test with the team.
- Who
- McLaren and Italian driver Leonardo Fornaroli.
- What
- McLaren named Fornaroli its F1 reserve and third driver for 2027 and assigned him a WEC Hypercar programme.
- When
- For the 2027 season. The announcement was reported on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- McLaren is continuing Fornaroli’s F1 development while involving him in its new WEC Hypercar programme.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fornaroli’s McLaren F1 development programme included testing previous cars, two Grand Prix free practice appearances and simulator work.
Fornaroli completed a single lap in McLaren’s Hypercar.
McLaren’s announcement of Fornaroli’s 2027 F1 reserve and third-driver role and WEC programme was reported.
Fornaroli’s first proper Hypercar test with the team was scheduled to begin.
- F1 role
- Reserve and third driver for 2027
- WEC programme
- Hypercar debut with McLaren
- 2026 F1 work
- Testing previous cars, two free practice appearances and simulator work
- Hypercar experience
- One lap completed before his first proper test
- Report date
- 19 October 2026
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What people are saying
The programme McLaren has given me this year has been incredible,
All of this will also be very important for the WEC, because it's an extremely competitive championship and there will be so much to learn, from overtaking to strategy, as well as, of course, getting to know a completely new car.
It was a great experience,
Racing with them next year is going to be amazing.