Leonardo Fornaroli will mix his function as McLaren’s Components 1 reserve driver with a race seat within the producer’s Hypercar programme for its 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship debut.
McLaren has confirmed that Leonardo Fornaroli will be part of its Hypercar driver lineup for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship, marking the Italian’s first official step into sportscar racing.
The 21-year-old, who at present serves as McLaren’s Components 1 reserve driver, turns into the fourth confirmed member of the staff’s lineup forward of its deliberate entry into the highest class of endurance racing subsequent season. He’ll proceed his reserve duties in Components 1 alongside his new commitments.
Fornaroli joins Alex Lynn, Laurens Vanthoor and Mikkel Jensen within the creating lineup, with the reamining two seats unanounced to this point.
The announcement represents a brand new chapter for Fornaroli, who claimed the FIA Components 3 championship in 2024 earlier than securing the Components 2 title in 2025 throughout his rookie season. After spending 2026 with no full-time racing seat, the Italian will now have the chance to return to competitors with McLaren.
Talking in regards to the announcement, Fornaroli expressed his pleasure at taking over the problem of endurance racing whereas persevering with his relationship with the Components 1 staff: “Becoming a member of the McLaren Hypercar Crew is an extremely thrilling subsequent step in my profession,” he mentioned.
Crew principal James Barclay emphasised the significance of mixing skilled sportscar racers with rising expertise: “Leo is an distinctive expertise: successful Components 3 is a big achievement, however to comply with that by successful Components 2 as a rookie underlines his pure expertise and makes him one of the thrilling drivers in motorsport. His velocity, consistency and maturity at such a younger age helped him obtain an enormous quantity within the junior classes, and those self same attributes make him an thrilling addition to our McLaren Hypercar Crew.”
With 4 drivers now confirmed, McLaren is continuous to form its roster forward of its extremely anticipated Hypercar debut. The staff is anticipated to announce the remaining members of its lineup as preparations progress for the 2027 season.
READ MORE: Toyota seals WEC Producers’ crown with Barcelona 1-2 as Manthey Porsche Takes LMGT3 Win
