Leonardo Fornaroli will make his Formula 1 weekend debut – the 2025 Formula 2 champion will replace Lando Norris at McLaren in the first practice session
The 2025 Formula 2 champion will replace Lando Norris in Friday’s first practice session. Starting with FP2, the world champion will be back in the car as usual. Fornaroli will drive the current McLaren MCL40 for the first time during his Friday session.
Previously, during his three private test sessions (TPC tests) in Barcelona, Silverstone, and Austin, he took to the track in the MCL60 from the 2023 Formula 1 season. For him, it is “a very special milestone,” says the 21-year-old himself.
“I’ve been working toward this for a long time, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take this next step together with McLaren Racing,” said Fornaroli, who won the Formula 2 title as a rookie in 2025.
Although he had previously won the Formula 3 championship in 2024, he was unable to secure a seat in the premier class for 2026. McLaren subsequently secured his services as a reserve driver.
Williams: Browning Back in Action Too
Alongside Fornaroli, another Friday driver, Luke Browning, will take to the track in Barcelona. The 24-year-old will replace Alexander Albon at Williams. The Williams reserve driver brings a bit more Formula 1 experience to the table than Fornaroli.
For the Briton, this will be his fifth Friday stint for the Grove-based team, following appearances in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, Williams has announced that Browning will also drive in FP1 at Spielberg, though this time as a replacement for Carlos Sainz.
As with Fornaroli, this will also be Browning’s first outing in a current-generation Formula 1 car. “Luke continues to prove himself a valuable member of the team, both through his work on the simulator and his performance on the track,” emphasizes Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets.
“Giving him the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the FW48 for the first time over two race weekends is an important step in his development and a logical next step,” said Smeets.
Meanwhile, at Audi, Paul Aron will get two FT1 stints. He will replace Nico Hülkenberg in Barcelona and Gabriel Bortoleto in Spielberg. The 22-year-old has already participated in two Friday practice sessions for his former team, Sauber, in 2025.
In addition, Frederik Vesti will replace World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli in FP1 for Mercedes in Barcelona, while Ayumu Iwasa will replace Isack Hadjar for Red Bull. It was previously confirmed that Colton Herta will make his Friday debut for Cadillac.
Once again this year, every Formula 1 regular driver is required by regulation to cede two practice sessions to a driver who has not yet competed in more than two Grands Prix in his career.
