Leonardo Fornaroli has reflected on his title-winning race in Formula 3 at his home event at Monza.
The Italian claimed the Formula 3 crown during the Feature Race at the final corner to beat fellow compatriot Gabriele Mini.
Fornaroli enjoyed a brilliant 2024 season as he displayed incredible consistency in his Trident. He would only finish outside the points twice all season, with a lowest finish of 12th.
The 19-year-old did not take victory throughout the year, or in fact in his entire F3 career. However, Fornaroli scored more podiums than any other driver in 2024 with seven.
Speaking with the F1 website, the Italian revealed what he did with his championship rival Mini after clinching the title.
Leonardo Fornaroli gave Gabriele Mini ‘a big hug’ after winning the Formula 3 title
Heading into the final lap of the Feature Race at Monza, it was Mini that was set to win the title as he ran in second and Fornaroli fourth.
With Christian Mansell ahead in third, Fornaroli had to get past to win the championship. Heading into Parabolica, the Trident driver dived down the inside and took third from Mansell after he ran wide, giving the title to the former.
As it would turn out, Fornaroli would not have needed to make the overtake, as Mini would be later disqualified from the race due to his car being under the minimum requirement for tyre pressures. Fornaroli was subsequently handed second place and won the title over Mini by 23 points.
As he stepped out of his car after the race, Fornaroli shared a moment of respect with his championship rival.
“I was on the top of the car and Gabri came to shake my hand,” he said.
“Of course, I stopped my celebration to shake his hand but then felt I had to do it properly.
“So, I went back to him and gave him a big hug. He did a very good race – I was starting P1, but I finished P3, and he was starting behind me and finished in front of me, so his race was better than mine.
“I’m very happy about this year. In Qualifying I didn’t make a huge step forward because the pace was still good last year, but the biggest step was made into the race management. So even if I didn’t take any wins this year, it was because of super consistency in the races that we managed to take the title.”
Leonardo Fornaroli will race in Formula 2 next season
Following his F3 success, Fornaroli will make the step up to Formula 2 in 2025 as he signs with Invicta Racing.
The Italian will follow in the footsteps of 2023 F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, who is currently racing with Invicta this season and stands a good chance of challenging for his second consecutive title.
Meanwhile, Mini will get a chance at F2 before the 2024 F3 champion, as he will be called up to race for PREMA – who he raced with in F3 – in place of Oliver Bearman at Baku, after he was called up to replace Kevin Magnussen at Haas in Formula 1.
With both of PREMA’s F2 drivers heading to F1 next season, Baku is a great opportunity for Mini to showcase his skills and land a full-time drive come 2025.