Oscar Piastri is having a proper shocker of a season in 2026, and McLaren might already have his replacement waiting in the wings. The Australian, who came so close to winning the championship last year with seven wins and a third-place finish, has really struggled to adapt to the new technical regulations. Unlike the dominant McLaren MCL39 from 2025, this year's car has lost its edge, and Piastri's been finding it harder than ever to match teammate Lando Norris's consistency.

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Here's where it gets interesting though. McLaren have got Leonardo Fornaroli, their 21-year-old reserve driver, lined up perfectly as a potential successor. The kid is absolutely talented, having won both the Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships back to back, something only a select few have managed. Piastri himself pulled off that same feat earlier in his career. Fornaroli's already been getting regular F1 action with FP1 sessions and test outings, with more scheduled for Mexico and Brazil.

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But McLaren aren't putting all their eggs in one basket. They've actually handed Fornaroli a massive opportunity by bringing him into their new Hypercar programme for the World Endurance Championship in 2027, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It sounds like a reward, but it's also a clever way to keep him racing at the highest level while the team continues evaluating him rather than sticking him purely on simulator work. By the end of 2027, McLaren will know whether Piastri can bounce back from his difficult year or if they need to look elsewhere.

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Here's the reality though. One tough season doesn't wipe away Piastri's credentials as a race winner and championship contender. He's still got time to prove this year's struggles are just a temporary blip as he adapts to the new car. But if 2027 doesn't bring the turnaround McLaren are hoping for, Fornaroli could realistically step up in 2028 with two seasons of development already under his belt. For now, Piastri's the established driver and Fornaroli's the promising prospect. Everything hinges on what happens next season.

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