Leonardo Fornaroli has quickly become one of the most hotly-talked about prospects in motorsport in 2024.
The Italian won the Formula 3 title this season with Trident, beating out fellow compatriot Gabriele Mini at his home event at Monza with an overtake for third place at the final corner of the final lap of the Feature Race.
Fornaroli won the title by 23 points after Mini – who had finished the race second – was disqualified from the race for not meeting the minimum requirements for tyre pressures.
The 19-year-old finished in the points in all but two races all season. Despite not winning a race in 2024 or at all in his two seasons in F3, Fornaroli says he proved consistency was more important than race wins as he grabbed seven podiums across the season.
His performances have seemingly caught the attention of key figures in the pinnacle of motorsport, as Fornaroli hinted on the Autosport F1 & Motorsport Podcast that he is ‘talking’ to more than one F1 team about joining their academy.
Leonardo Fornaroli is in talks with more than one Formula 1 academy but ‘everything still has to happen’
The Italian is not currently affiliated to any F1 outfit and has not been throughout his junior career up to this point. The 19-year-old is making the step to Formula 2 next year as he joins Invicta Racing as the replacement for Gabriel Bortoleto, who won the F3 title the year prior to Fornaroli.
The future F2 driver stated that joining an F1 academy would be a ‘very good help’ in terms of funding and guidance, but he stressed that nothing is confirmed yet.
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“Some things changed after the race in Monza,” he said. “We are trying to organise everything as good as possible because it’s a very difficult thing to join an academy. But still a bit too early to say what’s happening in the future for me.”
Asked whether he was in talks with more than one team, Fornaroli replied: “Yeah, a bit more [than one team] but right now we are talking only, so still everything has to happen.
“Of course it would be amazing, it’s a very good help. Since this year, being not part of an academy team didn’t change so much, but now that I’m stepping higher, it will be a good help right now, so we are trying our best.”
Which Formula 1 team could Leonardo Fornaroli sign with?
Joining an F1 academy will be hugely beneficial for Fornaroli in F2 and will give him the recognition and potential pathway into the pinnacle of motorsport.
With the Italian not giving away who he is talking to, it is anyone’s guess as to which team – if any at all – he will sign with. But there may be some better options in the paddock than others.
Looking at driver contracts, Mercedes could have an opening in 2026 with George Russell being out of contract. Alpine could have a seat available if Jack Doohan does not perform, likewise Aston Martin could part ways with Lance Stroll.
As an Italian, Ferrari will be an attractive option, but seats at the famous red team and Sauber – soon to be Audi – are locked in for the long term. However, the Maranello squad could prove a good option through their ties with Haas, who could also possibly have a seat available come 2026.
Red Bull have multiple junior drivers already waiting in the wings for an opportunity and with the current uncertainty surrrounding their drivers, the Milton Keynes-based outfit may be one to avoid. With McLaren releasing Bortoleto with their drivers on long-term deal, they may also be a team to steer clear of if Fornaroli plans an F1 move.