McLaren, testing in Portimão with Norris, Piastri and Fornaroli
Leonardo Fornaroli is increasingly involved in McLaren’s programs. The papaya team trusts the feedback from the Piacenza native and rewarded him with a test alongside the main drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The three took turns driving the MCL60 (the 2023 car) at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.
As part of the TPC test, Norris completed 49 laps, Piastri 55, and Fornaroli 47. In total, the papaya drivers covered 698 km over the two days in Portugal. The Piacenza native drove yesterday afternoon and today’s afternoon, Piastri drove yesterday morning, Norris this morning. The Portimão test concludes an intense first half of the season, during which the MCL60 also ran in Barcelona, Silverstone, Austin, and Monza.
Words from Norris
“It was a productive test for us and it was nice to return to Portimão. It’s where I first drove an F1 car (in 2017, ed), it’s a special track for me. It’s also a fun track to drive, with some fun and challenging corners,” Norris commented. “We managed to complete everything we set out to do and accumulate valuable mileage. It’s a great way to say goodbye to the team before the summer break. I look forward to spending some time with family and friends, recharging, and coming back to the track at Zandvoort in top shape.”
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Words from Piastri
“This was my first time at the Portimão circuit. The variable conditions made it an interesting place to drive, and the elevation changes made it really fun. We completed the entire program we set out to do and the team is satisfied,” Piastri added. “It’s a good time to take a break. It’s been a pretty intense season for us, it will be nice for everyone to unplug.”
Words from Fornaroli
Fornaroli, who participated in his second F1 race weekend in Budapest, added: “I really enjoyed taking part in this event in Portimão. It was the first time I drove on this circuit and every opportunity to drive the MCL60 in a TPC test is important for my growth. It was great to work alongside Lando and Oscar. Watching how they handle different conditions and listening to their feedback are valuable learning experiences for me. We ran a lot on both days. The wind made things a bit more complicated, so there was a lot to learn. I want to thank McLaren for the continuous support and the growth opportunities they offer me. I feel my progress with every lap and I look forward to continuing to grow starting from here.”
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