Former F1 driver makes comeback with McLaren test
Former F1 driver Nyck de Vries has returned to an F1 cockpit in a test with McLaren alongside reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli.
The former AlphaTauri and Williams driver completed a TPC test with McLaren at Jerez.
Nyck de Vries makes F1 return with McLaren
De Vries made his long-awaited F1 return after last competing in the 2023 British Grand Prix.
That season, the Dutchman was eventually replaced by veteran driver Daniel Ricciardo when he failed to live up to expectations following an impressive cameo with Williams when Alex Albon was ruled out with appendicitis.
Completing his first McLaren test, the former F2 and Formula E champion joined reserve driver Fornaroli at Jerez – the Italian outgoing F2 champion completing his seventh and final test of the year.
Driving the 2025 MCL39, de Vries completed 69 laps of the former F1 venue.
“This is my first test with the TPC team for 2026,” he said.
“It’s good to be back with the team here, and what an experience it was to drive the MCL39. It’s an important car for the team’s history, and it was great to drive it around Jerez.
“Thank you to the team – it’s always helpful to get time on track, which supports the work I do in my Test and Development role.”
De Vries will continue his Formula E efforts next season, racing with Mahindra for a fourth consecutive season, having taken his sole title with Mercedes in the 2020-21 season.
Formula E has delayed the start of the new campaign, with the opening round originally scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in December.
Although F1 will race in the Middle East in Qatar and Abu Dhabi around this time, Saudi Arabia has continued to see increased conflict, while the situation in other regions has been comparatively stable.
This means the new Gen 4 era has been delayed, with Formula E turning away from street tracks to introduce more conventional venues, including Brands Hatch in the United Kingdom.
Fornaroli completed less running than his counterpart, registering only 58 laps, with conditions limiting his running due to strong winds.
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“It was great to be back in the MCL39, it’s such a fun car to drive,” said Fornaroli.
“We focused on a similar programme to what we did in Paul Ricard, which involved a number of long stints, different balance setups, and we also got some running on the Intermediates in there too.
“This test at Jerez came straight after my two FP1 sessions in Mexico City and São Paulo. It’s a really nice way to finish my testing programme within the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
“I took some time to reflect and compare my day here to my first F1 drive during our TPC test in Barcelona in February and I’m pleased to have come so far. I’ve improved a lot in my driving and how I approach everything, thanks to the support the team has given me.
“Now I head back to the States, to support the team in the final few races of 2026, before an exciting 2027 across the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and the McLaren Hypercar Team.”
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