Stella has 'a lot to think about' after signing F2 champion amid Piastri exit rumours
Andrea Stella has claimed he has 'a lot to think about' after signing F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli as McLaren's reserve driver for the 2026 F1 season.
McLaren secured back-to-back constructors titles in 2025, with Lando Norris claiming his maiden driver's title, the team's first since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
Norris secured the title over teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished the season in third place despite leading the championship for 15 of the 24 grand prix.
After Hamilton's significant struggles against Charles Leclerc, the Papaya are now widely regarded as the strongest driver pairing in F1, and over the winter they added another string to their bow.
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In December, the team raised eyebrows by announcing reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli would join the team, with his role as reserve driver for the upcoming season now confirmed.
Fornaroli joined F1 stars Leclerc, Piastri, George Russell and Gabriel Bortoleto in a very exclusive club of drivers who won the F2 championship in their rookie season, after also doing the same in F3 the previous year.
Given his pedigree, many believed Fornaroli would be fast tracked into F1, however, the Italian is set for a spell on the sidelines at McLaren in 2026.
Speaking exclusively to SPORTbible at the 2026 Autosport Awards, McLaren team principal Stella, insisted the 21-year-old has what it takes to become an F1 driver despite his reserve role.
"Leonardo's career is very impressive, how rapidly he learns, he has performed at a very high level in every championship he has participated in," Stella explained.
"He has performed so well recently that McLaren became interested, and we wanted to bring Leonardo into our family.
"I think he has all the qualities to become a Formula 1 driver in the future," he claimed.
The addition of Fornaroli comes amid growing speculation of the future of Piastri within the team, with Italian outlet Automoto reporting the Australian will make a decision on his future at the midpoint of the 2026 season.
Swiss outlet Blick have also recently claimed that Piastri has started 'setting his sights' on potentially moving away from McLaren due to his treatment in 2025.
Despite the noise from the outside, Stella reiterated they have no current plans to alter their driver lineup, but admitted Fornaroli's potential gives him 'a lot to think about'.
"For the moment I think we keep our feet on the ground," Stella continued.
"We will work with all the activities we can do like simulators, free practice driving so he can grow to become a Formula 1 driver and in the meantime being the McLaren reserve driver.
"There is a lot to think about and a lot to do, his potential is extremely high and we need to see how this potential can be exploited.
"He is definitely one of the drivers who will drive for McLaren in the free practice sessions," the Italian confirmed.
Fornaroli confident he can reach F1 dream with McLaren
Speaking last year after joining the team, the F2 champion revealed he is convinced McLaren will allow him to reach his career goals at the top of the motorsport ladder.
“I’m incredibly proud to be joining the McLaren Driver Development Programme after another successful year on track," he told McLaren.com
"Winning both the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles has been an important step in my journey, and 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.
“I’m very grateful to McLaren for this opportunity, and to everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far. I can’t wait to get started and work closely with the rest of the team."
Topics: Spotlight, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, Formula 1
Tom Jenkins