McLaren Racing has confirmed that reigning FIA Formula 2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli will join its Hypercar programme for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The 21-year-old Italian will make his endurance racing debut with the British manufacturer while continuing his role as a Formula 1 reserve driver.
Fornaroli becomes the fourth driver confirmed for McLaren’s new Hypercar operation, joining Mikkel Jensen, Laurens Vanthoor and Alex Lynn. The manufacturer is preparing to field two MCL-HY prototypes in the championship’s premier category, with two additional drivers yet to be announced.
The move represents another significant step in Fornaroli’s career following consecutive FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles in 2024 and 2025. Having spent 2026 supporting McLaren’s F1 operations through simulator work, testing and reserve duties, he will return to competitive racing next season while remaining involved with the Formula 1 team.
Fornaroli secures McLaren WEC seat for 2027 alongside F1 reserve duties
Fornaroli’s confirmation strengthens McLaren’s emerging Hypercar line-up as the manufacturer prepares for its return to top-level endurance racing in 2027. Although the Italian has spent his career progressing through single-seater competition, his move into the WEC will provide an opportunity to develop his skills in a different racing environment.
The signing also demonstrates McLaren’s intention to create opportunities across its various racing programmes through the Driver Development Programme. Fornaroli joined the organisation following his 2025 Formula 2 championship success and subsequently became one of its official F1 reserve drivers for 2026.
His responsibilities have included testing previous McLaren F1 machinery, simulator development and supporting the team during race weekends. He also completed his first official F1 practice appearance at the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, gaining further experience of operating within a championship-winning organisation.
McLaren has confirmed that Fornaroli will retain his reserve driver responsibilities in 2027 while competing in the WEC. The arrangement will therefore allow him to resume regular racing without ending his involvement in Formula 1.
Back-to-back F3 and F2 titles establish Fornaroli’s credentials
Fornaroli arrives at McLaren’s Hypercar programme with an impressive record in junior single-seater competition, having secured consecutive championships in FIA F3 and F2.
The Italian claimed the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Trident following a campaign defined by consistency rather than individual race victories. Despite failing to win a race, he secured seven podium finishes and regularly collected points, ultimately defeating Gabriele Minì to claim the title.
Fornaroli subsequently progressed to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2025, immediately establishing himself among the leading contenders. He secured four victories during his rookie campaign, combining improved outright pace with the consistency that had characterised his Formula 3 success.
His performances earned him the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship, making him one of a small group of drivers to win the two categories in consecutive seasons. The achievement also strengthened his reputation as one of the most promising young drivers progressing towards Formula 1.
Although Fornaroli did not secure an immediate F1 race seat, his appointment to McLaren’s development programme provided an alternative route for continued progression. The new WEC opportunity will now allow him to gain competitive experience while remaining connected to the team’s Formula 1 operations.
Fornaroli welcomes opportunity to represent McLaren at Le Mans
Following the announcement, Fornaroli expressed his enthusiasm about joining McLaren’s endurance racing programme, highlighting the opportunity to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans while maintaining his Formula 1 responsibilities.
The Italian acknowledged the importance of the McLaren Driver Development Programme in creating the opportunity, particularly after his first season working within the manufacturer’s racing organisation.
“Joining McLaren Hypercar Team is an incredibly exciting next step in my career, and I’m grateful that my ongoing role as McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team Reserve Driver has opened up this incredible opportunity,” Fornaroli said.
“To represent McLaren in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a huge honour, and I’m ready to give everything as we take on this new challenge together.”
Fornaroli also thanked the Driver Development Programme for supporting his career and allowing him to broaden his experience beyond the junior single-seater categories.
His move will introduce several new challenges, including sharing a car with teammates, managing traffic between different classes and adapting to endurance racing strategies. Nevertheless, his experience competing in closely contested junior championships provides a foundation as he prepares to make the transition.
McLaren combines established endurance experience with emerging talent
Fornaroli becomes the fourth confirmed driver for McLaren’s 2027 WEC programme, joining three established endurance racing competitors.
Danish driver Mikkel Jensen became the manufacturer’s first signing earlier in 2026, bringing previous Hypercar experience with Peugeot and an extensive background in prototype racing. He has also played an important role in developing the MCL-HY, completing the car’s initial running during its rollout at Varano.
McLaren subsequently confirmed Laurens Vanthoor, adding the 2024 FIA WEC Hypercar Drivers’ Champion to its line-up. The Belgian brings considerable experience from Porsche’s factory programmes, including championship victories and multiple appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
British driver Alex Lynn became the third recruit on 15 October, confirming his move from Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA after the conclusion of the 2026 season. His achievements include a class victory at Le Mans in 2020 and outright pole position at the event in 2025.
Fornaroli’s arrival adds a different profile to the squad, combining youthful potential with the experience of three drivers already familiar with international endurance racing. McLaren has yet to confirm how its drivers will be distributed between the two cars.
Barclay praises Fornaroli’s speed, consistency and maturity
McLaren Hypercar Team Principal James Barclay welcomed Fornaroli’s signing, highlighting the Italian’s achievements in the junior single-seater categories and his potential to contribute to the manufacturer’s endurance racing programme.
Barclay believes Fornaroli’s ability to secure consecutive championships demonstrates qualities that could prove particularly valuable in the WEC, where consistency and managing changing race conditions are essential.
“Leo is an exceptional talent – winning Formula 3 is a significant achievement, but to follow that by winning Formula 2 as a rookie underlines his natural ability as one of the most exciting drivers in motorsport,” Barclay said.
“His speed, consistency and maturity at such a young age helped him to achieve a huge amount in the junior categories, and those same attributes make him an exciting addition to our McLaren Hypercar Team.”
The team principal also emphasised the balance developing within McLaren’s driver line-up, which now includes established sportscar competitors alongside a driver entering the category for the first time.
Barclay previously worked with Fornaroli during his earlier involvement in motorsport and expressed confidence in the Italian’s approach and performance. McLaren will now aim to build on that familiarity as the team continues preparing for its first Hypercar season.
MCL-HY development continues ahead of 2027 debut
McLaren’s Hypercar programme has already entered an extensive development phase, with the manufacturer testing its new MCL-HY ahead of the 2027 season.
The prototype has been developed under the LMDh regulations in partnership with United Autosports and chassis manufacturer Dallara. It features a McLaren-developed twin-turbocharged V6 engine supported by a standardised hybrid system, marking a significant technical undertaking as the British manufacturer prepares to challenge established Hypercar competitors.
The car completed its first on-track running at Varano in May before progressing through additional testing. McLaren has subsequently completed an extended 30-hour endurance test, allowing engineers to evaluate reliability, operational procedures and the car’s performance during prolonged running.
The team also recently welcomed reigning F1 World Champion Lando Norris for a test at Portimão. Norris completed a development programme in the MCL-HY, providing feedback as McLaren continued gathering data ahead of its competitive debut.
Fornaroli will now join that development effort while preparing for his first season in endurance racing. The Italian’s involvement will provide McLaren with another source of feedback as it continues refining the car and building its race operations.
McLaren targets return to Le Mans glory in 2027
McLaren’s arrival in the WEC Hypercar category represents a significant return to the highest level of international endurance racing for the British manufacturer.
The marque famously secured overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut, with JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya driving the McLaren F1 GTR to a historic triumph. The achievement remains one of the manufacturer’s most significant racing successes and forms an important part of the motivation behind its new programme.
However, the competitive landscape has changed considerably since that victory. McLaren will enter a Hypercar field featuring established manufacturers such as Toyota, Ferrari, Cadillac, BMW and Aston Martin, alongside Genesis and other developing programmes.
The MCL-HY will therefore face considerable competition during its debut season, with the team aiming to establish a competitive foundation before challenging consistently for victories and championship honours.
Fornaroli’s signing represents another step towards that objective, bringing McLaren’s confirmed driver roster to four of its intended six competitors. The Italian will now prepare for his FIA WEC debut and first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans while continuing his duties within the manufacturer’s Formula 1 programme.
With Jensen, Vanthoor and Lynn providing established endurance racing experience, McLaren’s combination of youth and proven success will form the foundation of its return to top-level sportscar competition in 2027.
