Fornaroli to combine McLaren F1 reserve role with 2027 WEC debut

Leonardo Fornaroli’s 2027 will span two McLaren programmes: he will remain the Formula 1 team’s reserve and third driver while making his World Endurance Championship debut in its new Hypercar.

His F1 development programme is set to continue in 2027 alongside his WEC commitments. In 2026, it has included Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions, two Grand Prix first-practice appearances and extensive simulator work. Fornaroli will also help develop the Hypercar as McLaren enters its first WEC season.

His first experience in the Hypercar was brief: a single lap. Fornaroli said the closed cockpit and setting off on electric power before the combustion engine started were entirely new experiences for him.

Fornaroli expects his Formula 1 experience to help in endurance racing, but says he still has much to learn about overtaking, strategy and the new car. He has missed racing, he said, and felt jealous watching Lando and Oscar compete during weekends when he was at the track as a reserve.

The 2027 WEC calendar includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Fornaroli expects to race. He said competing there has been a dream for years and that he had not expected the opportunity to come so soon.