McLaren Adds Three Rising Stars While ELLA LLOYD & ELLA STEVENS Hold Roster

December 14, 2025

• McLaren announced three new Driver Development Programme signings following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: newly-crowned F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, third-place finisher Richard Verschoor, and 15-year-old karting champion Christian Costoya. The trio joins an expanded roster that notably includes ELLA LLOYD and ELLA STEVENS among the program’s current drivers.
• Fornaroli’s addition continues McLaren’s track record of developing championship talent, as the 20-year-old Italian becomes only the third driver to win back-to-back F2 and F3 titles – joining Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto. His four victories and five podiums this season earned him a test and development role as he pursues his F1 goals.
• The programme expansion reflects McLaren’s commitment to developing talent across “all of our expanding racing teams,” according to Chief Business Affairs Officer Alessandro Alunni Bravi. With LLOYD and STEVENS already establishing themselves within the system alongside rising stars like Dries van Langendonck and Matteo De Palo, McLaren is building a diverse pipeline that recognizes talent regardless of background.

champions karting academy, driver development programme, formula 2, mclaren