McLaren's young guns: Driver Academy fresh faces to chase F1 glory

 

McLaren Racing have announced three exciting additions to its Driver Development Programme (DDP). With those being Leonardo Fornaroli, Richard Verschoor and Christian Costoya joining existing members including Pato O’Ward, Ella Lloyd among many others. The programme provides testing, development roles and career pathways toward Formula One (F1), IndyCar in addition to the upcoming World Endurance Championship Hypercar entry.

Development opportunities will span F1 operations, IndyCar and WEC programmes with testing roles integrated into McLaren’s racing structure. To strengthen McLaren’s talent pipeline and ensure a steady flow of drivers capable of competing at the highest levels.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Chief Business Affairs Officer, McLaren Racing said: “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.”

Aiming emulate past success by nurturing champions from junior categories. The initiatives reflects McLaren’s long term strategy of investing in diverse talent across multiple racing series.

Leonardo, 20, Piacenza Italy, joins the programme having achieved exceptional success this season with four victories and five podiums across 2025 FIA Formula Two (F2) feature plus sprint races.

Leonardo Fornaroli, McLaren Development Driver said: “Winning both the FIA Formula Three (F3) and Formula Two titles has been an important step in my journey, 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.”

These performances saw the Italian becoming the third driver to achieve back to back Championship wins in F2 and F3, emulating current McLaren F1 driver, Oscar Piastri and McLaren Development Programme graduate, Gabriel Bortoleto.

Richard Verschoor, 24, Utrecht Netherlands, joins the McLaren Driver Development Programme with excellent single seater experience, including a Macau Grand Prix – F3 World Cup win in 2019.

Richard Verschoor, McLaren Development Driver said: “It’s a special moment and I’m grateful for McLaren’s support in allowing me to continue my development within the programme.”

He currently sits in third position in the 2025 F2 championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi on the 7^th of December.

Christian, 15, Silleda Spain, becomes part of the McLaren family with multiple karting championship and trophy victories to his name, including the 2025 FIA European Karting Championship.

Christian Costoya, McLaren Development Driver said: “It is great to get the team’s support and be in an environment that is known for developing great drivers.”

He has also been crowned vice-champion in both the 2023 FIA Karting World Championship and 2024 FIA Karting European Championship.

📸 Imagery courtesy of McLaren Racing