McLaren Racing announced three new signings in F1 driver programme, as Mercedes inks deal with PepsiCo and its brands.
McLaren Racing today announced that 2025 FIA Formula 2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli, 2019 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup winner Richard Verschoor and 2025 FIA Karting European Champion Christian Costoya have joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
Leonardo, 20 years old from Piacenza, Italy joins the programme having achieved exceptional success this season with four victories and five podiums across 2025 FIA Formula 2 Feature and Sprint races. These performances saw the Italian become only the third driver to achieve back-to-back championship wins in FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3, emulating current McLaren Formula 1 driver, Oscar Piastri and McLaren Driver Development Programme graduate, Gabriel Bortoleto. He will take on a test and development role within the Formula 1 team’s structure as part of his involvement within the programme.
Richard, 24 years old from Utrecht, Netherlands, joins the McLaren Driver Development Programme with excellent single-seater experience, including a Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup win in 2019. He currently sits in third position in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, 7 December.
Christian, 15 years old from Silleda, Spain, becomes part of the McLaren family with multiple karting championship and trophy victories to his name, including the 2025 FIA Karting European Championship. He has also been crowned vice-champion in both the 2023 FIA Karting World Championship and 2024 FIA Karting European Championship. As an initial step in his development pathway, Christian will make his single-seater debut in the upcoming 2026 F4 Middle East Championship at Yas Marina Circuit on 16-18 January.
All three drivers join the team’s talent pipeline, which has an overarching aim to help drivers progress towards Formula 1, IndyCar and the team’s upcoming World Endurance Championship entry. The McLaren Driver Development Programme now currently includes Pato O’Ward, Dries van Langendonck, Ella Lloyd, Matteo De Palo, Ella Stevens, Ella Häkkinen, Leonardo Fornaroli, Richard Verschoor and Christian Costoya.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Chief Business Affairs Officer, McLaren Racing, said: “McLaren Racing are delighted to welcome two of Formula 2’s current leading drivers in this year’s Champion Leonardo Fornaroli and former Championship contender and fellow front-runner Richard Verschoor, as well as proven karting champion, Christian Costoya, to the McLaren Racing Driver Development Programme.
“All three talented drivers have shown great race craft with multiple wins this season, alongside a number of impressive performances in their respective championships. By welcoming Christian to the programme alongside long-standing member, Dries Van Langendonck, we now also have two of the most promising drivers coming out of karting.
“It is a key priority that we continue to develop our talent pipeline to provide options for all of our expanding racing teams. We look forward to working closely with all our drivers in 2026 as they continue their individual development at various stages of their career with the support of the programme through a wide range of testing and progression opportunities across all of our racing series.”
Leonardo Fornaroli, Driver, McLaren Driver Development, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be joining the McLaren Driver Development Programme after another successful year on track. Winning both the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles has been an important step in my journey, and I’m motivated to take the next step in my development through the programme as I work toward my ultimate goal of racing at the highest level. I’m very grateful to McLaren for this opportunity, and to everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far. I can’t wait to get started and work closely with the rest of the team.”
Richard Verschoor, Driver, McLaren Driver Development, said: “I’m delighted to be part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme. It’s a special moment, and I’m grateful for McLaren’s support in allowing me to continue my development within the programme. I’m excited to get going and work hard with the team in the coming months.”
Christian Costoya, Driver, McLaren Driver Development, said: “I am very excited to join the McLaren Driver Development Programme and become part of their talent pipeline. It is great to get the team’s support and be in an environment that is known for developing great drivers. My thanks go to the McLaren team for this great opportunity.”
Mercedes, PepsiCo –
Today, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team announces a landmark global partnership with PepsiCo beginning in 2026, bringing together three of its powerhouse brands – Gatorade, Sting, and Doritos. This multi-year partnership builds on PepsiCo’s existing Formula 1 relationship and marks the first time that three category-leading PepsiCo brands will partner with an F1 team.
Building on Formula 1’s explosive growth trajectory and rapidly expanding fanbase, this partnership positions PepsiCo at the heart of the sport’s global momentum through comprehensive integration across Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s operations, from pioneering hydration programs to immersive fan experiences.
Fuelling Team Performance
Gatorade brings its 60-year heritage and expertise of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) to the paddock for the first time. In a sport where drivers can lose up to 4 kilograms of body weight through sweat in a single race, hydration is critical to performance – and Gatorade’s world-leading expertise in hydration science and performance solutions will be integrated into Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team performance programs. This program implements a fully customized performance hydration strategy – giving the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team a performance edge, in a sport where every millisecond matters.
F1 Talent Meets Brand Power
The partnership will also leverage Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s drivers, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, who represent two generations of racing. Russell, established as one of F1’s premier talents, brings proven performance and an authentic connection to fans worldwide. Antonelli, who came to attention with his rise through the ranks to F1, embodies sport’s exciting future and next generation of talent. Through the partnership, fans will see both drivers participate in fan engagement initiatives that showcase the collective strengths of Gatorade, Doritos and Sting – from behind-the-scenes content to fan-focused activations.
Energizing the Global Fanbase
Sting, as the #1 energy drink in markets including India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Egypt, brings its explosive growth story to the paddock. With market-leading positions across emerging markets, Sting’s trajectory mirrors both F1’s and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s expansion in these regions. Sting brings its energetic brand spirit to race weekends – and with Sting, fast just got faster, connecting Gen Z fans to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, bringing them to the race, and delivering the excitement of F1 faster than ever.
Bringing Bold Flavour to the Fast Lane
Doritos joins the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to elevate the fan experience with a shared belief in boldness – on the track, in culture, and in every bite. As the world’s boldest snack brand, Doritos will ignite race weekends with high-impact, flavour-forward experiences inspired by the intensity and precision of F1. Through global activation rights, Doritos will bring its signature edge to fans everywhere, capturing the speed, tension, and excitement of Grand Prix weekends and bringing the thrill of the track into the snacking world. Together, Doritos and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team will provide the global F1 community with an unmistakable combination of flavour and adrenaline.
“This partnership unites performance, energy, and flavour under one banner – connecting three of PepsiCo’s most iconic brands with the world’s most successful Formula 1 team”, said Eugene Willemsen, Chief Executive Officer, International Beverages at PepsiCo. “Through Gatorade, Sting, and Doritos, we’re inside the culture of the sport, fuelling both the athletes and the fans who live for the thrill of F1. Partnering with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team reflects our shared commitment to performance, innovation, and excellence – values that define both our organizations.”
Toto Wolff, Team Principal & Chief Executive Officer, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said: “Welcoming a company with a portfolio as strong as PepsiCo’s into our partner ecosystem is another sign of the strength of our team and our sport. As a brand, they align perfectly with our ethos of chasing ultimate performance through innovation and excellence. Gatorade’s expertise in sports science, Sting’s youthful energy, and Doritos’ cultural relevance each bring something unique. Together, they create a partnership that not only supports our team’s performance but also enhances the experience for our fans around the world.”
Richard Sanders, Chief Commercial Officer, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said: “We’re delighted to welcome PepsiCo to the team. Their expertise in this sector will help us deliver great experiences for our guests and fans at the track and beyond. It’s a partnership that adds real value to how we operate day-to-day and how we connect with people around the world.”
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[The story is as per press release]