McLaren and Williams reveal reserve drivers for F1 2026

McLaren and Williams have confirmed who will probably be their respective reserve drivers for the upcoming 2026 F1 season.

On Thursday, McLaren introduced that reigning System 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and IndyCar frontrunner Pato O’Ward would function the reigning world champions’ reserve drivers in 2026.

Fornaroli, who was signed by McLaren in December following his F2 title triumph, will “undertake an intensive testing and sim programme to help his improvement”.

“I’m thrilled to be entering into an prolonged position with the McLaren Mastercard System 1 Staff as reserve driver as a part of the McLaren Driver Improvement Programme,” stated Fornaroli.

“It’s an thrilling subsequent step in my journey, and I’m wanting ahead to contributing to such a profitable, championship-winning crew this season. An enormous thanks to Zak [Brown], Andrea [Stella] and Alessandro [Alunni Bravi] for this chance.”

In the meantime, O’Ward will proceed within the position he has fulfilled over the previous two seasons.

“I’m excited to proceed in my position as reserve driver for the McLaren Mastercard System 1 Staff, alongside my major duties within the NTT IndyCar Sequence with Arrow McLaren,” the Mexican stated.

“I’ve discovered an unbelievable quantity from testing and driving F1 automobiles over the previous few years, so I’m wanting ahead to this continued development and improvement.”

Williams promote Luke Browning

Williams then introduced on Friday that Luke Browning has been promoted to turn out to be the crew’s reserve driver this season.

Formally, Williams didn’t beforehand have a named reserve driver, however might name upon the companies of Mercedes’ reserves if wanted as a part of their engine deal. Final yr that was Valtteri Bottas, who has since joined Cadillac. 

Browning, who completed third in System 3 in 2024 and fourth in F2 in 2025, participated in three F1 apply classes with Williams final season.

The 24-year-old Briton will dovetail his new dedication alongside a rookie season in Japan’s Tremendous System.

“I’m extremely excited to be stepping up as Reserve Driver with Atlassian Williams F1 Staff this yr,” Browning stated.

“The Academy has been instrumental in my development, supporting me by means of each System 3 and System 2 whereas giving me the possibility to stand up to hurry with trendy F1 equipment by means of testing and FP1 classes.

“I sit up for working alongside Alex [Albon] and Carlos [Sainz] to drive the crew ahead on this new period for System 1.”