McLaren’s test and development driver Leonardo Fornaroli has confirmed he is actively pursuing a full-time Formula 1 seat amid growing links to Haas.
The 21-year-old Italian joined McLaren ahead of the 2026 campaign following his F2 championship triumph the previous season.
Fornaroli has already made two FP1 appearances for McLaren this year, taking part in practice sessions at Barcelona and Hungary.
On both occasions, the young driver delivered impressive performances, further building his reputation as one of Formula 1’s most exciting emerging talents.
He also completed a private two-day test with Haas at the Jerez Circuit back in June, giving him additional experience behind the wheel of a current-specification Formula 1 car.
McLaren bosses Zak Brown and Andrea Stella are both said to rate Fornaroli highly, though a race seat at the Woking-based team remains blocked with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri already in place.
BBC Sport correspondent Andrew Benson suggested earlier this week that Haas represents Fornaroli’s most likely destination for a full-time drive, with Esteban Ocon’s seat reportedly under threat.
“There are not that many seats up for grabs next year and the driver market is on hold for a large part until it becomes clear whether Max Verstappen is going to leave Red Bull,” Benson wrote.
“If Fornaroli is to get a seat, though, it seems most likely it would be at Haas, where Esteban Ocon’s place is under threat.”
Speaking to F1.com, Fornaroli addressed the speculation directly and confirmed that serious work is being done to make the move a reality.
“Absolutely. We’re working on it, trying to make it happen,” Fornaroli said when asked if making the step up to F1 was a realistic goal.
“I’m focused now on the present and doing my job. There’s still some work to do, but I think we’re in a good place.”
Fornaroli’s next opportunity to impress will come at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he is set to take part in another FP1 session with McLaren.
With fourteen seats on the 2027 grid still yet to be confirmed, the timing of his push for a full-time drive could hardly be better.