McLaren has signed new F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli to a take a look at and growth function, whereas additionally including F2 race winner Richard Verscholl to its younger driver program.
Fornaroli joins Gabriel Bortleto, Oscar Piastri, George Russell and Charles Leclerc in successful back-to-back F3 (or GP3) and F2 championships as a rookie, successful his newest title in Qatar on Sunday. The Italian has not beforehand been with an F1 group, however RACER understands McLaren competed for curiosity from quite a lot of rivals to safe his contract.
“After one other 12 months of success on the observe, I’m very proud to be becoming a member of the McLaren Driver Growth Programme,” stated Fornaroli. “Profitable each the FIA System 3 and System 2 titles was an vital step in my journey and I’m motivated to take the following step in my growth by means of this system whereas working in direction of the final word objective of racing on the highest degree.”
“I am very grateful to McLaren for this chance and everybody who has supported me all through my profession. I can not wait to get began and work carefully with the remainder of the group.”
Richard Verschoor was additionally acquired by McLaren. Dom Gibbons/Getty Pictures)
“I’m delighted to be becoming a member of the McLaren Driver Growth Programme,” Verschoor stated. “It is a particular second and I’m grateful to McLaren for his or her help in permitting us to proceed our growth throughout the program. I’m excited to work onerous with the group over the approaching months.”
Verschoor has competed in F2 for the previous 5 seasons, however this might be his second time becoming a member of an F1 program, having joined Purple Bull in 2017. Along with the 2 F2 graduates, Spanish karting expertise Cristian Kostya has additionally been signed forward of his promotion to single-seaters.
“McLaren Racing is delighted to welcome two of F2’s present main drivers, this 12 months’s champion Leonardo Fornaroli and former championship candidate and fellow frontrunner Richard Verscholl, to the McLaren Racing driver growth program, in addition to confirmed karting champion Christian Kostya,” stated McLaren Chief Govt Officer Alessandro Arunni Bravi.
“All three proficient drivers have delivered quite a lot of spectacular performances of their respective championships this season, in addition to taking a number of wins and demonstrating nice racing abilities. The addition of Christian to this system alongside long-time member Dries van Langendonk means we have now two of essentially the most promising drivers from karting.”
“Persevering with to develop our expertise pipeline to supply choices for all our increasing racing groups is a key precedence. We sit up for working carefully with all our drivers in 2026 as they proceed their private growth at varied phases of their careers with the help of our program by means of intensive testing and development alternatives throughout all racing collection.”
