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McLaren dramatically secures F2 champion Fornaroli and IndyCar star O’Ward as 2026 reserve drivers

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
January 15, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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McLaren dramatically secures F2 champion Fornaroli and IndyCar star O’Ward as 2026 reserve drivers

McLaren Unleashes a Dynamic Duo: Fornaroli and O’Ward Set to Dominate as 2026 F1 Reserve Drivers!

In a thrilling announcement that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, the illustrious McLaren Formula 1 team has officially secured reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and IndyCar sensation Pato O’Ward as their reserve drivers for the highly anticipated 2026 season. This strategic move not only bolsters McLaren’s driver lineup but also signals their unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent.

The Italian prodigy Fornaroli, who recently clinched the F2 championship title, has been brought into McLaren’s driver development program, marking a significant step in his burgeoning career. As the designated reserve driver for most of the 2026 season, he will play a critical role supporting McLaren’s regular racers: the electrifying Oscar Piastri and the reigning world champion Lando Norris. McLaren has emphasized that Fornaroli will engage in an “intensive testing and sim program” designed to accelerate his development and prepare him for the rigors of Formula 1.

Expressing his excitement, Fornaroli stated, “I’m thrilled to be stepping into an extended role with the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team. It’s an exciting next step in my journey, and I’m looking forward to contributing to such a successful, championship-winning team this season. A big thank you to Zak [Brown], Andrea [Stella], and Alessandro [Alunni Bravi] for this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, the charismatic Mexican driver Pato O’Ward will complement Fornaroli’s efforts whenever his busy IndyCar schedule allows. As a stalwart of the NTT IndyCar Series with Arrow McLaren, O’Ward expressed his enthusiasm for continuing in this dual role, saying, “I am excited to continue as reserve driver for the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team. I’ve learned an incredible amount from testing and driving F1 cars over the past few years and look forward to this continued growth and development.”

But the excitement doesn’t end there! McLaren has also unveiled its extensive development roster for 2026, featuring an impressive lineup of nine rising stars, including Christian Costoya, Matteo De Palo, Ella Hakkinen, Ella Lloyd, Ella Stevens, Dries Van Langendonck, and Richard Verschoor. Notably, Verschoor, a recent signing with a wealth of F2 experience, will be competing in the European Le Mans Series, gearing up for McLaren’s ambitious hypercar campaign set to launch in 2027.

McLaren’s strategy also shines through its selection of young talents: De Palo, the most senior figure in the single-seater ladder, will represent McLaren in FIA F3 with Trident, while Belgian prodigy Van Langendonck is set to make his full-time debut in British F4. Meanwhile, Lloyd and Stevens will carry the McLaren banner in F1 Academy, and Hakkinen, the daughter of two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen, is gearing up for an F4 testing program with sights set on racing in 2027.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, McLaren’s chief of business affairs, expressed his delight at the team’s lineup, stating, “The team is pleased to confirm its driver development program alongside its racing and testing programs for 2026. It’s great for Leonardo to step up into the reserve driver role for the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, with Pato O’Ward continuing in this role. We have selected an incredibly talented group of nine drivers, which shows the health of our talent pipeline. We are all excited to see their development this season as we create professional drivers across all aspects of racing, progressing towards Formula 1, IndyCar, and the team’s upcoming World Endurance Championship entry.”

As McLaren gears up for an action-packed 2026 season, motorsport enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely. The stage is set for Fornaroli and O’Ward to make their mark, and with such formidable talent behind the wheel, McLaren’s future in Formula 1 looks brighter than ever!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-football-seasonarrow-mclarenleonardo-fornarolis
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