Esteban Ocon has fresh reason to worry about his Formula 1 future as his Haas team prepares to evaluate a potential star of the future. The team confirmed on Tuesday that last year's Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli will drive its 2025 car, the VF-25, at a two-day Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) event in Jerez, Spain, later this week.
Fornaroli's Path to F1
Fornaroli was signed by McLaren at the end of last year, taking on a test and development role with their F1 team after his F2 title success. However, the 21-year-old Italian racer ultimately aims to compete in F1, and with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on long-term contracts, there appears to be no chance of a promotion there for the 2027 season.
Haas could be an option as the American outfit keeps its options open. In a statement confirming Fornaroli's participation in this week's TPC outing, Haas said it would be appraising Fornaroli in its 2025 machinery, hinting that he is being considered for a potential race seat in the future.
The statement read: "TGR Haas F1 Team has the capacity to test and appraise drivers through its TPC program. Leonardo Fornaroli, the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Champion, has subsequently been offered the opportunity to drive its VF-25 at the Circuito de Jerez, Spain, 17-18 June, with TGR Haas F1 Team reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa also in attendance at the test."
McLaren Impressed with Fornaroli
Fornaroli recently made his live F1 weekend debut at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, driving in the first hour of practice on Friday. He ended the session fifth on the timesheets, 0.8 seconds off the pace set by George Russell in the Mercedes.
Speaking of his efforts, team principal Andrea Stella hinted McLaren is trying to find him a drive for 2027. He said: "I'm very happy with his attitude, speed and consistency. Leonardo is definitely an asset for Formula 1 and we want him to drive. He could certainly do that for McLaren Racing in the future, but at the same time we are working together to explore every opportunity that may arise in Formula 1."
The State of Play at Haas
Oliver Bearman has scored 18 of Haas' 21 points so far this year and, as a Ferrari academy member, is being eyed for a promotion there. He is expected to eventually take over from Lewis Hamilton, though that seems unlikely to happen in 2027 as the seven-time world champion insists this is not his last F1 season.
Haas may be lining up potential options in case they lose Bearman to the Scuderia sooner than expected. This also serves as a warning to Esteban Ocon, whose seat is assured for now but may not be if he cannot improve his output this year. Just three points scored across the first seven rounds is not the return Haas and team principal Ayao Komatsu expect from an experienced racer like the Frenchman.
