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Brown Confirms Fornaroli Is Truly Destined for F1 Success
Highlights
- Zak Brown supports Leonardo Fornaroli as F1-worthy reserve driver.
- Fornaroli debuted in FP1 at 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, finishing fifth.
- Fornaroli joined McLaren’s Driver Development Programme in December 2025.
- Brown dismisses Verstappen-McLaren rumors, endorses Norris and Piastri stability.
- Fornaroli gained testing experience with McLaren and Haas teams recently.
- Brown hints Fornaroli may secure a full-time F1 race seat soon.
Zak Brown backs McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli as “definitely worthy of being in F1,” signalling a potential near-term race seat after the Italian’s strong FP1 debut in Spain.
The 2025 Formula 2 champion joined McLaren’s Driver Development Programme in December 2025 and shares 2026 reserve duties with Pato O’Ward.
Fornaroli completed 22 laps and finished fifth fastest in FP1 at Barcelona-Catalunya, reinforcing internal assessments of his readiness.
The run provided representative mileage on a well-understood circuit, enabling correlation work without disrupting McLaren’s race programme.
He added TPC mileage at Jerez in Haas’s VF-25 alongside Ryo Hirakawa, broadening references under permitted previous-car testing regulations.
Fornaroli logged 22 laps and placed fifth in FP1 at Barcelona-Catalunya, strengthening his F1 case.
Across the British Grand Prix weekend, Brown confirmed a realistic pathway to a race seat. He described Fornaroli as “a great talent” integrated into McLaren’s testing plans.
Asked about a potential rookie pairing with fellow Italian Kimi Antonelli, Brown acknowledged the possibility without committing to timelines.
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Brown: “Definitely worthy of being in F1,” reflecting McLaren’s confidence in Fornaroli’s readiness.
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Speculation about Max Verstappen and McLaren resurfaced recently, but Brown dismissed the noise. He reiterated confidence in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, both on multi-year deals.
The remarks echoed earlier reports of Verstappen links and Brown’s public pushback on the rumours, reinforced by his subsequent comments.
Joined McLaren’s programme in December 2025, Fornaroli shares 2026 reserve duties with Pato O’Ward.
Stability at the race team frames promotion opportunities. McLaren can evaluate juniors through FP1 mileage, simulator output, and cross-team references.
Fornaroli’s programme delivers all three. The blend of competitive FP1 pace and Haas TPC work strengthens his candidacy across the paddock.
That approach mirrors a wider trend. Teams validate prospects through structured development, then use FP1 outings to de-risk graduation.
Brown’s endorsement suggests a race seat could materialise quickly if momentum continues through 2026.
If performances sustain, the remainder of 2026 functions as an extended audition. Fornaroli’s next laps may determine when opportunity arrives.
Visual Summary
🪖
Fornaroli
Age: 21
“Leonardo Fornaroli is definitely worthy of being in F1.”
– Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
– Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
FP1 Debut
5th Fastest
🏎️
Barcelona, 22 laps
Reserve Role
McLaren
& Haas
& Haas
🔧
Tested with
Pato O’Ward
Pato O’Ward
Eyes on 2027:
Fornaroli’s rise puts him under the F1 spotlight.
Will he join the next generation of stars like Antonelli?
Will he join the next generation of stars like Antonelli?
⬆️
🇮🇹
🏁
🇮🇹
🏁
Meanwhile, McLaren stays loyal to Piastri & Norris despite Verstappen rumors.
Fornaroli is next in line—if his star keeps rising.
Fornaroli is next in line—if his star keeps rising.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
