Leonardo Fornaroli, Formula 1 champion, received another opportunity from McLaren to drive a Formula 1 car.
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After a long time without being involved with any team on the grid, the competitor joined the papaya as a reserve driver after his success in F2. The competitor shares the role with Pato O’Ward.
McLaren has been giving opportunities to the Italian in a broad program with the 2023 MCL60. Fornaroli has already completed 112 laps at the Barcelona circuit and another 68 at Silverstone.
Now, this week, between Wednesday and Thursday, he drove at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, the venue of the United States GP. In the USA, he completed another 77 laps, or 425km, with different temperature variations.
McLaren has been offering the young Italian a broad testing program with the MCL60, the team’s 2023 season car, even before he has driven a Formula 1 car during GP weekends.
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“The program included a combination of long and short stints, start procedures, and formation lap practice. It is always amazing to drive an F1 car. I am grateful to McLaren for giving me another opportunity to drive the MCL60,” Fornaroli said in a statement.
“I am becoming more comfortable with the car and also with the team. The program of this test was a step forward compared to my last test at Silverstone. We had the chance to do start simulations, which continued to help me better understand what is needed to drive an F1 car in a session. Everyone in the DDP [driver development program] continues to support and encourage me in these tests as I continue my development,” he continued.
“It was my first time driving at COTA. I really enjoyed the experience and I am already looking forward to the next opportunity in an F1 car. Until then, I will be supporting the F1 team in the simulator for the Monaco GP,” he concluded.
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