Leonardo Fornaroli currently leads the 2024 Formula 2 championship, a remarkable achievement for a driver in his first year at this level, especially considering he remains without affiliation to any Formula 1 academy. This unusual circumstance has drawn attention, particularly from Invicta Racing team principal James Robinson, who regards Fornaroli as a potential “Moneyball” talent for F1 teams seeking dependable and underrated drivers for next season.
Fornaroli’s Path Mirrors Past Champions but Without F1 Support
Last year, Fornaroli claimed the Formula 3 title with Trident despite not winning any individual races during that campaign. He began 2024 with Invicta Racing in Formula 2—the same team, formerly Virtuosi, that helped propel Gabriel Bortoleto from F3 champion to F2 title winner. Bortoleto’s success in F2 was instrumental in earning him a seat in Formula 1 with Sauber, supported by McLaren’s development programme signed after his F3 championship.
Although Fornaroli’s trajectory closely resembles Bortoleto’s rise, Robinson remains cautious about direct comparisons but praises Fornaroli’s consistent form and race execution. According to Robinson, Fornaroli’s progress has been strong and steady, emphasizing his ability to improve significantly mid-season.
James Robinson Highlights Fornaroli’s Consistency and Growth
Robinson remarked,
“Leo has been phenomenal to work with; across the team, we would echo that.”
He noted that while expectations were high, especially after seeing Gabi’s rapid improvement and advancement into F1, Fornaroli’s development has been equally impressive, if a bit more gradual. Robinson explained,
“Gabi made a really big step last year from Melbourne to Imola. I think Leo took a bit longer to find his feet, but then he really took a big step forward just before Silverstone and Red Bull Ring. I think we’re really seeing the fruits of that now.”
Fornaroli’s breakthrough in races came this season after a long wait, having last won at the 2021 opening round of Italian Formula 4 at Misano. His recent victories include three wins this year, capped by a feature race triumph at the Hungaroring before the summer break.
Fornaroli’s Low-Profile Style May Obscure His Talent
Robinson speculated that Fornaroli’s unassuming personality and reserved public presence might be part of the reason he has yet to attract an F1 academy despite his results. He described Fornaroli as a “Moneyball” driver—a term drawn from baseball coach Billy Beane’s strategy of finding exceptional but overlooked players through data rather than flashy reputations.
According to Robinson, Fornaroli’s unmatched consistency and error-free driving style set him apart, stating,
“The unique thing about Leo is his ability to execute, and in an unflappable way without mistake.”
He recalled Fornaroli’s dominant performance at the Spa sprint race, where despite a tough safety car-affected scenario, Fornaroli steadily extended his lead to win comfortably. This approach was replicated in the Hungary feature race.
Robinson Questions Why Fornaroli Remains Without F1 Affiliation
Robinson expressed genuine surprise and confusion over the lack of formal F1 recognition for Fornaroli so far, emphasizing that it is
“absolutely mind-blowing that he hasn’t been announced for an F1 role for next year already,”
especially since many drivers currently leading the F2 championship are linked to top F1 teams’ academies.
He continued,
“I think Leo is a bit of a Moneyball-type pick. He doesn’t do the big banzai moves that some drivers do. He doesn’t do silly dances on the podium. He’s not very outspoken in the media. But having worked in Formula 1 for 20 years, knowing what F1 teams look for in drivers, Leo is an exceptional guy in terms of developing a car.”
The veteran team principal identified Fornaroli’s ability to provide consistent, reliable data through stable lap times as a critical asset for F1 teams looking to enhance their vehicles’ performance. Robinson concluded,
“If you did take a sort of more Moneyball-style approach, Leo would be the most obvious pick for anybody.”
Why Fornaroli Could Be the Next F1 Breakthrough
Fornaroli’s steady rise, combined with his knack for extracting performance reliably and developing cars effectively, positions him as an ideal candidate for F1 teams valuing technical feedback and racecraft over flashiness or media presence. Robinson boldly claimed,
“I think he would be the deal of the century for an F1 team at this stage.”
As Formula 2 progresses toward the second half of the season, eyes will remain on Fornaroli to see if continued championship leadership and further race success will finally earn him the F1 academy affiliation that many insiders believe he deserves. With his current form and skill set, Fornaroli represents an intriguing option for teams looking to discover hidden gems capable of delivering long-term results.