McLaren signs F2 champion Fornaroli as test driver

McLaren has signed new Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli to a test and development role, and has also added F2 race-winner Richard Verschoor to its young driver program.

Fornaroli followed in the footsteps of Gabriel Bortoleto, Oscar Piastri, George Russell and Charles Leclerc in winning the Formula 3 (or GP3) and Formula 2 championships back-to-back as a rookie, securing his latest title in Qatar on Sunday. The Italian was not affiliated with a Formula 1 team previously, but RACER understands McLaren fought of interest from a number of rivals to secure his signature.

“I’m incredibly proud to be joining the McLaren Driver Development Program after another successful year on track,” said Fornaroli. “Winning both the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles has been an important step in my journey, and I’m motivated to take the next step in my development through the program as I work toward my ultimate goal of racing at the highest level.

“I’m very grateful to McLaren for this opportunity, and to everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far. I can’t wait to get started and work closely with the rest of the team.”

Richard Verschoor has also been snapped up by McLaren. Dom Gibbons/Getty Images)

“I’m delighted to be part of the McLaren Driver Development Program,” Verschoor said. “It’s a special moment, and I’m grateful for McLaren’s support in allowing me to continue my development within the program. I’m excited to get going and work hard with the team in the coming months.”

Verschoor has been in F2 for the past five seasons but now joins an F1 program for the second time, having been at Red Bull in 2017. Alongside both F2 graduates, Spanish karting talent Christian Costoya has also been signed ahead of his move up to single-seaters.

“McLaren Racing are delighted to welcome two of Formula 2’s current leading drivers in this year’s Champion Leonardo Fornaroli and former championship contender and fellow front-runner Richard Verschoor, as well as proven karting champion, Christian Costoya, to the McLaren Racing Driver Development Program,” said McLaren’s chief business affairs officer Alessandro Alunni Bravi.

“All three talented drivers have shown great race craft with multiple wins this season, alongside a number of impressive performances in their respective championships. By welcoming Christian to the program alongside long-standing member, Dries Van Langendonck, we now also have two of the most promising drivers coming out of karting.

"It is a key priority that we continue to develop our talent pipeline to provide options for all of our expanding racing teams. We look forward to working closely with all our drivers in 2026 as they continue their individual development at various stages of their career with the support of the program through a wide range of testing and progression opportunities across all of our racing series.”