Reigning F2 Champion Fornaroli to Test with Haas at Jerez

Leonardo Fornaroli will test with Haas at Jerez this week in a two-day Testing of Previous Cars program as he pushes for a place on the 2027 Formula 1 grid. The move comes just days after the reigning F2 champion turned heads with a standout FP1 debut for McLaren in Barcelona.

Why it matters:

Fornaroli has quickly established himself as the most credible rookie prospect in the driver market, and securing a private test with Haas indicates concrete interest beyond his McLaren development ties. With seats for 2027 already being evaluated, a strong showing could fast-track him from junior hopeful to full-time grand prix driver.

The details:

• Fornaroli will run at the Spanish circuit on Wednesday and Thursday aboard last year’s Haas, sharing the program with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.
• His FP1 outing with McLaren produced a fifth-place finish just 0.8s off pacesetter George Russell, earning strong praise from Andrea Stella for his speed and composure.
• Stella stated McLaren views Fornaroli as an F1 asset and wants him on the grid, but added they are actively exploring external opportunities alongside internal options.
• Haas appears a viable path given that Oliver Bearman is likely to stay, while Esteban Ocon faces mounting pressure after a difficult 2026 season.

What's next:

The Jerez sessions serve as a direct audition for Fornaroli with a team that may have an opening in 2027. If he delivers during the two-day test, he could emerge as the prime candidate to partner Bearman, finally securing his graduation to a full-time Formula 1 seat.