Leonardo Fornaroli has his sights firmly set on a Haas F1 seat for 2027, and it sounds like the conversation is already well underway. The McLaren reserve driver and current Formula 2 champion is actively negotiating with the American team, backed by McLaren's support. It's a smart move from both sides, really. McLaren wants their young Italian prospect to gain real F1 experience elsewhere, while Haas finds themselves in an enviable position with multiple quality drivers chasing limited seats.

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The Haas driver lineup for next season is still very much in flux, though Oliver Bearman looks nailed on to stay put. The British driver is on loan from Ferrari, and the Scuderia see him as their future, potentially as Lewis Hamilton's long-term replacement. That means Esteban Ocon, the current second seat holder, is facing genuine uncertainty about his future. Team principal Ayao Komatsu wasn't keen to discuss the situation in Hungary, but the writing appears to be on the wall for the Frenchman.

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The competition for that second Haas drive is heating up though. Ferrari would love to see Rafael Camara, their promising but inconsistent Brazilian Formula 2 driver, get his chance. There's also reportedly a Japanese driver in the mix as a technical partner pushes for representation. But Fornaroli seems to have a real advantage, with McLaren's backing and his stellar junior career credentials putting him right in the conversation.

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What makes this particularly interesting is just how tight the 2027 driver market is shaping up. There simply won't be many seats available, which actually works brilliantly in Haas's favor. They've got their pick from a crowded field of hungry young drivers, and Fornaroli represents exactly the sort of talent they'd struggle to attract if the market loosened up. It's a rare chance for the team to punch above their usual weight in driver recruitment.

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