Two more outings in the current car
Leonardo Fornaroli will return to the McLaren MCL40 in the opening practice sessions at Mexico City and São Paulo. The plans were reported on 19 October. The Italian has already taken part in FP1 at Barcelona-Catalunya and Hungary this season. These are development opportunities during Grand Prix weekends, without an announced change to the team’s race drivers.
58 Paul Ricard laps in the MCL39
Preparation included a Paul Ricard test, where McLaren reports 58 laps and 339 km for Fornaroli. It was his sixth test with the team. The car was the 2025 MCL39, running in the Testing of Previous Cars programme. That car should be distinguished from the current MCL40 he will drive in the official FP1 sessions.
Why the longer runs mattered
McLaren describes a programme focused on longer runs to simulate an FP1 session and on trying different setups. APEX’s interpretation: such testing also has value in repeating procedures, communicating with engineers and using the available time efficiently. Mileage alone does not establish the driver’s competitive level or provide a direct comparison with the race drivers. The learning process matters alongside the distance covered.
For 2027: Hypercar racing and F1 reserve duties
In a separate announcement on 19 October, McLaren confirmed that Fornaroli will race in the World Endurance Championship in 2027, including Le Mans, in the MCL-HY. He will retain his Formula 1 reserve role. This combines an endurance race programme with F1 duties, without confirming a full-time Formula 1 race seat. The two responsibilities form distinct parts of his next season.
