Davide Valsecchi on Leonardo Fornaroli: “He deserves Formula 1”
Daniele Sala
Months, weeks, days and races go by: the 2025 Formula 2 season is reaching its conclusion, with Leonardo Fornaroli leading the championship. With 188 points, the driver from Piacenza must manage a 19 points advantage over Jak Crawford and 27 over Luke Browning. With two race weekends and four races left (two feature and two sprint), the Italian’s goal is clear: he wants to become world champion. However, the present is not his only concern, as the future remains uncertain.
The failure, for now, landing in F1
Despite his successes, barring sensational twists, Fornaroli will not step into Formula 1 in 2026. It’s a paradoxical situation: after conquering Formula 3 and potentially Formula 2 in just two years, his path seems destined to stall. It’s a familiar story, as Davide Valsecchi, GP2 champion in 2012, recalls. He too, after coming close to F1 as a Lotus test driver, saw the dream of a full‑time seat vanish.
The risk is the same for Fornaroli: a year of inactivity can weigh heavily, as opportunities are never guaranteed. One such chance disappeared only weeks ago, when Alpine announced the renewal of Franco Colapinto, closing an important door. Regarding the failed entry of Leonardo Fornaroli into Formula 1, Davide Valsecchi expressed disappointment.
Valsecchi‘s words
“I’m really sorry. If I had been Briatore, I would have taken him. Throughout his career he has made a few mistakes, as this great season confirms. Alpine has Gasly, who is strong, while Colapinto hasn’t done that well. As italian, I was disappointed, given the several driver changes: first Doohan, then Colapinto. For me, in place of the argentine, he would have been faster without making all those mistakes. Formula 1 should be meritocratic.”
But how is it possible that mid or lower tier teams don’t sign a Formula 3 champion and a potential Formula 2 champion? According to Valsecchi, the answer lies in factors beyond the driver’s control.
“Young talents like Antonelli, Berman and Hadjar have shone in recent races, in particular in the decisive moments for contract renewals. And perhaps the fact that Kimi is already there meant there wasn’t enough hype around Fornaroli. It’s a shame, because the results on track show he deserved the chance.”
What will his future be?
Regardless of how the season ends, Fornaroli will no longer be driving his yellow Invicta. The British team has already announced its 2026 line‑up: Rafael Camara, FRECA champion in 2024 and fresh Formula 3 world champion, alongside Joshua Dürksen, who is already driving in Formula 2 with AIX Racing.
The questioni s: what’s the only way to see Fornaroli back on track, perhaps still in Formula 2? He would have to avoid winning the championship, an outcome that clashes with his ambition and the results achieved so far. In fact, the regulations state that the world champion can no longer race in the category: and here lies the paradox.
What other paths could open up? WEC, IndyCar, or a Formula 1 reserve role? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the current leader must keep an eye on the future, but without losing focus on the present, and continue doing what he does best: winning. The future will come, bringing new opportunities. Because, like Davide Valsecchi reminds us, Formula 1 should reward those who prove to be the best, and Leonardo Fornaroli has fully demonstrated that.
