Fornaroli McLaren FP1: Rookie Takes Norris' Car in Mexico

The Fornaroli McLaren FP1 plan is simple: one rookie, two Fridays, two borrowed cars. Leonardo Fornaroli, the reigning F2 champion, is set to drive in Free Practice 1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix in place of Lando Norris, then at the São Paulo Grand Prix in place of Oscar Piastri, according to RacingNews365 and GPBlog, both reporting on 27 October 2026. Mexico City races on 1 November 2026, with São Paulo the following weekend.

What does the Fornaroli McLaren FP1 plan involve?

A single practice hour in each car. Norris and Piastri each sit out one opening session, and only that session, so a rookie can take the wheel.

Both outlets say the runs complete McLaren's mandatory 2026 rookie practice programme. Fornaroli has already driven FP1 for the team at Barcelona-Catalunya and the Hungaroring, so Mexico City and São Paulo are the last two boxes to tick. RacingNews365 calls the requirement FIA-mandated. GPBlog does not spell out the rule, so we will not either.

Why Mexico City is the interesting one

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez sits high above sea level, which changes how cars breathe and how brakes and tyres behave over a lap. Friday is where teams learn the shape of that weekend, so giving up track time is not free. McLaren is paying for it with a driver who has done simulator work and run a 2025 championship-winning McLaren in a previous-car test, GPBlog reports.

A stepping stone, not an audition

Do not read this as a seat announcement. Both outlets say McLaren has recently confirmed Fornaroli for its Hypercar programme in 2027. RacingNews365 adds that he had been in contention for a full-time Haas seat before Rafael Camara got it.

So this is a goodbye wave to single-seaters rather than a trial. Fornaroli framed it as a challenge: "They're new circuits for me, which is a good challenge," he said, per RacingNews365. New tracks, a car he knows from the simulator, one hour. The brief is clear.

What to watch on Friday

Rookie sessions rarely decide anything, but three things are worth a glance. Where Fornaroli lands against cars on comparable tyres. How Norris and Piastri use the rest of their weekends. And whether McLaren's fight with Red Bull for third, which we covered when the two sat level on points, shows up in the long runs.

Follow it on our live page, check the points picture on the standings page, and read how the fight for third developed in our constructors tie report. More short reads sit in the news section.

Nothing about the title fight changes. Friday in Mexico City just gets one more variable. If you like to call these things in advance, the Mexico City picks are open on the predictions page.