Leonardo Fornaroli is a driver on the up after the Italian became the 2024 Formula 3 champion on home soil at Monza.
The 19-year-old Trident driver debuted in Formula 3 last season, having driven with the team in the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) the year before, where he finished eighth.
Fornaroli’s debut F3 season in 2023 was a learning one, as he finished 11th in the standings with one pole position and three podiums.
In 2024, the young Italian made a huge step up. Despite not winning a race all season – in fact at all in his entire F3 career – the Trident driver finished outside the points only twice, grabbed seven podiums and won the championship at the final corner on the final lap of the Feature Race at Monza.
With Gabriele Mini looking set for glory, Fornaroli divebombed Christian Mansell at Parabolica for third place to beat Mini to the title.
After only two days since clinching the title, Fornaroli has achieved his ‘dream’ as he confirms the next step in his career.
Leonardo Fornaroli signs with Invicta Racing in Formula 2 for 2025
For the 2025 campaign, Fornaroli will be making the move up to Formula 2, driving with Invicta Racing.
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Previously running under the name Virtuosi Racing until it became Invicta Racing in 2024, the team have established itself as a top squad in F2, housing some great talent such as Zhou Guanyu, Luca Ghiotto, Felipe Drugovich and Jack Doohan.
This season, the team are currently top of the teams’ championship with drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Kush Maini delivering solid results to put them 20.5 points clear of Campos Racing after the round at Monza.
Speaking with the F2 website after the announcement, Fornaroli expressed his excitement to be joining one of the ‘best teams’ in Formula 2.
He said: “I’m so happy to be able to celebrate winning the F3 championship with this news and I cannot wait to step up to Formula 2 next season.
“Invicta Racing has proven itself over many years to be one of the best teams in Formula 2, including this season. I’m really excited to work with the team for the 2025 season.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Trident for the past three years, they really are the best team in F3. To go from the best team in F3 to the best in F2 is a truly a dream come true.”
Can Leonardo Fornaroli replicate Gabriel Bortoleto at Invicta?
Fans will be excited to see the Italian in F2 next season, especially with Invicta, given the success of and the correlation to their current driver Gabriel Bortoleto.
The Brazilian won the F3 last season at the first attempt and moved to Invicta in F2 for 2024. So far this season, Bortoleto has hit the ground running as he sits second in the standings after Monza.
Grabbing five podiums so far, including two victories, the 19-year-old is sat 10.5 points behind Isack Hadjar as he looks to challenge the Frenchman for the title.
With Bortoleto’s immediate success with Invicta, many will be looking to see if Fornaroli can do the same in his debut year in F2.