McLaren have announced that Leonardo Fornaroli will make his second F1 practice outing in Hungary this weekend, with the team also set to run a batch of upgrades on the MCL40.
A back-to-back F3 and F2 champion, Italian racer Fornaroli first appeared over an F1 weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last month, building on several private tests in older machinery by taking to the wheel of Lando Norris’ car through FP1.
Fornaroli, 21, will this time replace Oscar Piastri for the opening 60-minute session around the Hungaroring, giving the McLaren Development Driver some more valuable mileage as he grows into the role.
“I’m looking forward to driving the MCL40 in this weekend’s Free Practice 1 at the Hungaroring,” said Fornaroli, who also serves as a McLaren reserve driver. “Every session is a chance to learn more, gain confidence and contribute to the team’s programme for the weekend.
“I’ve been very busy in Woking over the past few weeks preparing this session in both the simulator and at the Optimum Nutrition McLaren Performance Hub, to make sure I’ll be ready as I can.
“I’m really grateful to everybody at the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team for all the support they’ve given to me so far. I can’t wait to get out on track on Friday, have fun and make the most of every lap to help the team.”
In addition to Fornaroli’s FP1 run, McLaren will introduce “a valuable package of upgrades” at the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, as they look to close the gap to front of the F1 field.
McLaren’s latest developments include a new floor and other aerodynamic parts, which will be assessed throughout Friday practice.
Meanwhile, during FP1 only, the team will trial a developed version of the experimental rear wing that was due to be tested on the Friday of the Austrian Grand Prix. However, it is not scheduled to be introduced fully in Hungary or the following race in the Netherlands.
Randy Singh, Senior Director of Racing at McLaren, said: “Heading to Hungary, we’re looking forward to a very different challenge at the Hungaroring and the final race before the summer shutdown.
“It’s a circuit that demands a high-downforce package and rewards confidence under braking, strong corner entry and good traction, while the combination of hot temperatures, relentless corners and limited straights makes tyre management a key factor.
“As always this season, we’ll also be focused on getting the most from our power unit deployment across the lap and understanding how the revised overtaking characteristics influence strategy.
“We have an upgrade package arriving this weekend too, and in such a competitive season every development is important so it will be great to gather further understanding on how those parts perform throughout Free Practice.
“Our aim is to maximise everything we have available, carry positive momentum into the shutdown and put ourselves in the strongest possible position for the second half of the championship.”