Newly-crowned Formula 2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli has become one of three new signings to the McLaren Driver Development Programme, with the Italian joining alongside fellow F2 racer Richard Verschoor and 2025 FIA European Karting Champion Christian Costoya.
Fornaroli sealed the F2 title during the Feature Race in Qatar, the Invicta Racing driver taking P2 in the event to confirm his championship triumph following a season in which he has so far claimed four victories and five podiums.
It also marks back-to-back titles for the 20 year old, who emulated the likes of Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto by winning the F2 championship off the back of doing the same in Formula 3 one year earlier.
Now becoming part of the McLaren family, Fornaroli will take on a test and development role within the F1 team’s structure.
Also joining the programme is Verschoor, who currently sits in P3 of the Formula 2 championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. The 24 year old from the Netherlands has won four races during the current campaign.
Another signing by McLaren is 15-year-old Costoya. The Spanish teenager has claimed multiple karting championships and is set to make his single-seater debut in the 2026 F4 Middle East Championship at the Yas Marina Circuit on January 16-18.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Chief Business Affairs Officer, McLaren Racing, commented: “McLaren Racing are delighted to welcome two of Formula 2’s current leading drivers in this year’s Champion Leonardo Fornaroli and former Championship contender and fellow front-runner Richard Verschoor, as well as proven karting champion, Christian Costoya, to the McLaren Racing Driver Development Programme.
“All three talented drivers have shown great race craft with multiple wins this season, alongside a number of impressive performances in their respective championships. By welcoming Christian to the programme alongside long-standing member, Dries Van Langendonck, we now also have two of the most promising drivers coming out of karting.
“It is a key priority that we continue to develop our talent pipeline to provide options for all of our expanding racing teams. We look forward to working closely with all our drivers in 2026 as they continue their individual development at various stages of their career with the support of the programme through a wide range of testing and progression opportunities across all of our racing series.”
Fornaroli added: “I’m incredibly proud to be joining the McLaren Driver Development Programme after another successful year on track. Winning both the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles has been an important step in my journey, and I’m motivated to take the next step in my development through the programme as I work toward my ultimate goal of racing at the highest level.
“I’m very grateful to McLaren for this opportunity, and to everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far. I can’t wait to get started and work closely with the rest of the team.”
Verschoor also commented: “I’m delighted to be part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme. It’s a special moment, and I’m grateful for McLaren’s support in allowing me to continue my development within the programme. I’m excited to get going and work hard with the team in the coming months.”
Costoya added: “I am very excited to join the McLaren Driver Development Programme and become part of their talent pipeline. It is great to get the team’s support and be in an environment that is known for developing great drivers. My thanks go to the McLaren team for this great opportunity.”
It comes after McLaren announced Ella Hakkinen and Ella Stevens as two new recruits to their Driver Development Programme last month.
