McLaren has signed new Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli to a testing and development role, and has also added F2 race winner Richard Verschoor to its young driver programme.
Fornaroli followed in the footsteps of Gabriel Bortoleto, Oscar Piastri, George Russell and Charles Leclerc by winning the Formula 3 (or GP3) and Formula 2 championships consecutively as a rookie and securing his latest title in Qatar on Sunday. The Italian has not previously been linked to a Formula 1 team, but RACER understands that McLaren has battled the interest of a number of rivals to secure his signature.
“I am incredibly proud to be part of 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 am motivated to take the next step in my development through the program as I work towards my ultimate goal of racing at the highest level.
“I am very grateful to McLaren for this opportunity, and 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 picked up by McLaren. Dom Gibbons/Getty Images)
“I am happy to be part of the McLaren Driver Development Program,” said Verschoor. “It’s a special moment and I’m grateful for the support from McLaren which will allow me to continue my development within the program. I look forward to working hard with the team in the coming months.”
Verschoor has spent the past five seasons in F2, but now joins an F1 program for the second time after joining Red Bull in 2017. In addition to both F2 graduates, Spanish karting talent Christian Costoya has also been signed, ahead of his switch to single-seaters.
“McLaren Racing is delighted to welcome two of Formula 2’s current leading drivers, this year’s champion Leonardo Fornaroli, and former championship contender and co-frontrunner 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 racing talent this season with multiple victories, in addition to some 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 to come out of karting.
“It is a key priority that we continue to develop our talent pipeline to provide options for all our growing racing teams. We look forward to working closely with all our drivers in 2026 as they continue their individual development at different stages of their careers, with the support of the program through a wide range of testing and progression opportunities across our racing series.”
#McLaren #signs #champion #Fornaroli #test #driver #RACER