19 October 2026 18:00 (UTC)
"I’m really excited to return to the MCL40 and do two more official Free Practice 1 sessions with the team"
McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team Reserve Driver and McLaren Driver Development Programme member Leonardo Fornaroli will return to the MCL40 for Free Practice 1 at the Mexico City and São Paulo Grands Prix. These follow the Italian driver’s successful FP1 sessions in Barcelona-Catalunya and Hungary, completing the team’s final two mandatory rookie sessions.
In preparation, Leo joined the Testing of Previous Cars team at Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend, where he completed 58 laps (339 km) on the GP layout. This is Leo’s sixth test with the team as part of his ongoing training within the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
After retiring the MCL60 from TPC duties in July, the team ran the 2025 double Championship-winning MCL39 at Paul Ricard for the first time and tried a variety of setups. Leo’s first day in the car focused on longer runs to simulate FP1 sessions. Rain briefly interrupted the afternoon running, but the team were still able to complete the planned programme.
Jake Hughes, McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team Test & Development Driver, also got behind the wheel of the MCL39. To continue to provide him with a reference point for his development work in the McLaren simulator, Jake drove on the first day of the two-day test. This was Jake’s second test of 2026, following an opportunity in Barcelona earlier this year, and he drove 52 laps (298 km).
Set in Provence, the Circuit Paul Ricard, former host of the French Grand Prix, lets drivers push the limits of the ground-effect-era car through a range of corner types and braking zones with relatively low risk.
So far this year, the TPC team has executed successful tests in Barcelona, Silverstone, Austin, Monza and Portimão, with the programme due to continue in the coming months.
“I’m really excited to return to the MCL40 and do two more official Free Practice 1 sessions with the team. The Mexico City and São Paulo Grands Prix are two great events, which will challenge me as a driver. Interlagos is a historic circuit with lots of mixed technical corners, and the altitude in Mexico City will definitely be a new physical challenge for me. It’s a great opportunity for my own development, and to also help the team over the weekend.
“This test at Circuit Paul Ricard was really beneficial. It’s been a few months since I was in an F1 car, so it was good to get back into it ahead of Mexico. This track is also really fun to drive, and of course driving the MCL39 for the first time made it even better. To drive a double Championship-winning car was really cool.
“Thank you to the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team for giving me these opportunities, and to everyone in the McLaren Driver Development Programme for their guidance and continued support. I look forward to being back with the team in Mexico.”
“It’s great to be back with the TPC team. Any day behind the wheel of an F1 car is a good one, but it’s particularly special to be able to drive a double Championship-winning car. The MCL39 is a great race car, and I worked with the team on several setups that will support my wider work with them. Thank you again to everyone at the team for giving me another opportunity this year.”
