Leonardo Fornaroli was announced by McLaren as the driver for the team’s Hypercar project for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. The Italian, a Formula 2 champion, will balance this new role with his responsibilities as a reserve driver for the team in Formula 1.
A 21-year-old, he will take another step forward in his career within the McLaren structure, which bets on a blend of experience and youth for its endurance debut. He will pilot the MCL-HY and will share the car with Mikkel Jensen, Alex Lynn, and Laurens Vanthoor, the WEC drivers’ champion in 2024.
The recruitment comes after a notable ascent through the junior categories. Fornaroli won the Formula 3 titles in 2024 and Formula 2 in 2025, a feat accomplished by only four other drivers, including Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s current race driver in F1. His performances earned him a place in McLaren’s driver development program, through which he has already contributed to supporting the F1 operations.
In a statement following the announcement, the Italian stressed the significance of the opportunity and confirmed that he would remain as a reserve for the F1 squad in 2027: “Representing McLaren in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a huge honor,” he said. Fornaroli also thanked the development program for supporting his journey and for allowing him to sharpen his skills in a competitive environment.
James Barclay, head of McLaren’s Hypercar program, praised the young driver’s progression, noting that he had briefly worked with the athlete during his stint in Formula E with the Jaguar team. According to him, winning F3 would have already represented a significant achievement, but clinching F2 in the debut season underscored the Italian’s potential.
Barclay also highlighted that speed, consistency and maturity were key factors in the decision. McLaren, he noted, is assembling a group that will bring together seasoned endurance racers and young talents for its inaugural season in the WEC.
