The current frontrunner in the Formula 2 championship, Leonardo Fornaroli, presents a unique case in contemporary motorsport: he currently holds the top spot in a prominent junior series during his debut year, yet remains notably unconnected to any Formula 1 team’s driver development program.
This peculiarity strikes Invicta team director James Robinson as “absolutely staggering,” highlighting Fornaroli as a potential “Moneyball” acquisition for any F1 squad aiming to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season.
Having secured the Formula 3 championship the previous year with Trident, Fornaroli progressed to the final level before Formula 1 with Invicta this year – the team, formerly known as Virtuosi, previously guided Gabriel Bortoleto to the 2024 title.
Similar to Fornaroli, Bortoleto had been the reigning F3 champion and replicated his success by clinching the F2 title, which subsequently propelled the Brazilian into Formula 1 with Sauber. Initially without Formula 1 backing, Bortoleto was swiftly incorporated into McLaren’s driver development initiative upon winning the F3 title.
Despite the parallels between Fornaroli and Bortoleto’s trajectories, Robinson refrained from drawing excessive comparisons, but he lauded the Italian driver’s consistency and commended his ability to “perform” effectively in races.
“Working with Leo has been an exceptional experience; the entire team would undoubtedly concur,” Robinson conveyed to Autosport.
“Evidently, for the second consecutive year, we’ve welcomed the reigning F3 champion into the team. As such, our expectations were naturally elevated. Considering our collaboration with Gabi last year, who is now demonstrating his capabilities in Formula 1, the expectations for Leo were perhaps unrealistically high. We dedicated considerable effort to managing those expectations for his benefit.
“In reality, we’ve observed that – and I’m hesitant to draw too many parallels with Gabi – his progress has been equally impressive, if not more so.
Leonardo Fornaroli, Invicta Racing
Photo by: Formula Motorsport Ltd
“Gabi experienced a significant breakthrough last year between Melbourne and Imola. I believe it took Leo somewhat longer to adjust, but he then demonstrated a substantial advancement shortly before Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring. We are now witnessing the tangible outcomes of that progress.”
Notably, Fornaroli secured last year’s Formula 3 title without winning a single race and, until the sprint race at Silverstone this year, had not achieved a race victory in any category since the opening Misano race of Italian Formula 4 in 2021. Since then, the Piacenza native has triumphed in three races this year, entering the summer recess following his feature race win at the Hungaroring.
Robinson proposed that Fornaroli’s reserved demeanor and personality may not have garnered immediate recognition, but he asserted that his consistency and strengths would make him an ideal fit for any Formula 1 team.
He described Fornaroli as a “Moneyball” driver – alluding to the term popularized by a book and film centered on baseball coach Billy Beane, who employed extensive data analysis to assemble a successful team from overlooked or unconventional players.
“Leo’s distinguishing characteristic lies in his ability to execute with unwavering precision and without errors,” Robinson elaborated. “During the Spa sprint race, we observed [Victor] Martins, who had overtaken [Amaury] Cordeel just before the safety car [triggered by contact with Cordeel], setting exceptionally quick lap times.
“Throughout the safety car period, we collectively acknowledged on the pitwall that securing a victory would be exceptionally challenging. However, Leo maintained his focus, consistently delivering lap after lap; by the conclusion of the race, he had established a four- or five-second advantage, ultimately securing the victory with relative ease. He replicated this performance in the Hungary feature race.”
Podium: Race winner Leonardo Fornaroli, Invicta Racing, second place Victor Martins, ART Grand Prix, James Robinson, Team Principal of Invicta Racing
Photo by: Formula Motorsport Ltd
“To be frank, I’m astonished at this point, and I find it incomprehensible why Leo isn’t already associated with a Formula 1 team. He wouldn’t express this himself, as he’s solely focused on his upcoming race, so I consider it very much my responsibility to voice what many within our team are thinking.
“And it’s truly perplexing that he hasn’t been announced for a Formula 1 role for the next year, especially considering that the majority of other drivers positioned within the top seven or eight in the championship are affiliated with Formula 1 team academies.
“In my opinion, Leo represents a ‘Moneyball’-style selection. He doesn’t engage in the bold, high-risk maneuvers that some drivers attempt. He refrains from extravagant celebrations on the podium. He isn’t particularly vocal in the media. However, having spent two decades in Formula 1, I understand what Formula 1 teams seek in drivers, and Leo is an exceptional individual in terms of car development.
“I believe that if a more ‘Moneyball’-inspired approach were adopted, Leo would be the most evident choice for any team.
“If the objective is to develop a car, you require a driver who can consistently deliver lap after lap, providing a stable data point. Leo excels at this more than any other driver currently in Formula 2.
“I anticipate that he would represent the acquisition of the century for a Formula 1 team at this juncture.”
