Alongside Patricio O’Ward, Leonardo Fornaroli will also become a reserve driver for McLaren for the first time in 2026 – the team will not be fielding any drivers in Formula 2 this year
On Thursday, McLaren announced its two reserve drivers for the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season. With Leonardo Fornaroli and Patricio O’Ward, the “second row” behind regular drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri is also impressive.
O’Ward was already a reserve driver for McLaren in 2025 and will retain this role in the new year. The Mexican finished the past IndyCar season for McLaren in second place behind champion and former McLaren reserve driver Alex Palou.
Fornaroli initially joined McLaren as a test and development driver at the end of 2025 and has now also been confirmed as a reserve driver. The Italian won the Formula 3 title in 2024 and Formula 2 in 2025, but was subsequently unable to secure a regular cockpit in the premier class.
He himself says: “I am very excited to take on an expanded role as a reserve driver as part of the McLaren driver development program. This is an exciting next step in my career, and I look forward to contributing to such a successful, championship-winning team this season.”
While O’Ward will continue to compete in the IndyCar Series in 2026, Fornaroli does not have a regular racing program. The team says of his duties: “In his role as reserve, test, and development driver, Leonardo will also complete an intensive testing and simulation program to further his development and provide valuable support to the Formula 1 team in an unprecedented era of new regulations.”
McLaren has also confirmed all other drivers for its junior program in 2026. As previously announced, the female drivers are Ella Häkkinen, daughter of Formula 1 champion Mika Häkkinen, Ella Lloyd, and Ella Stevens, who will both be driving in the F1 Academy in 2026.
On the men’s side, in addition to O’Ward and Fornaroli, the team will also feature Christian Costoya, Matteo de Palo, Dries van Langendonck, and Richard Verschoor. The latter finished third overall in Formula 2 last year and will compete in the ELMS in 2026.
“Richard Verschoor will compete with the DUQUEINE team in the European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 class and will also participate in a test program for the entire McLaren Racing portfolio as the team prepares for its upcoming entry into the World Endurance Championship,” McLaren said.
Matteo de Palo will compete in Formula 3 in 2026, while Dries van Langendonck and Christian Costoya will race in various Formula 4 series.