Another step after the Brazil appearance
McLaren announced the completion of Leonardo Fornaroli’s TPC programme on 10 November. At Jerez, he drove 58 laps in the MCL39, the 2025-generation car. It was his seventh and final test in the year’s programme, separate from his official practice appearances.
Rain and wind changed the exercise
Grandprix.com’s report confirms intermediate-tyre running followed by a switch to softs as the circuit dried. Long runs and balance adjustments took precedence over simply chasing a lap time. Nyck de Vries shared the car during the two-day test, completing 69 laps.
What the final FP1 session delivered
McLaren’s official São Paulo Friday report lists Fornaroli eleventh in FP1 with 28 laps. It was his first experience of that circuit. His programme included aerodynamic work on a weekend when the team introduced new MCL40 components. That session result is not a classification of the Jerez test.
Why continuity matters
In McLaren’s explanation published before Brazil, Fornaroli described the benefit of returning to the car only a week after Mexico: less reacclimatisation and more useful running. For a reserve driver, the simulator–FP1–test sequence offers opportunities to connect cockpit observations with technical discussions involving the engineers.
A Hypercar challenge follows in 2027
His World Endurance Championship agreement had been announced separately on 19 October. Fornaroli will race for McLaren Hypercar while retaining his Formula 1 reserve position. The Jerez test supports his preparation but does not constitute an announcement of promotion to a full-time F1 race seat.
