F3 champion Fornaroli on his spectacular final-lap showdown

It almost got away from him, but Leonardo Fornaroli showed the fortitude and bravery to win the 2024 Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship at the final corner on the final lap of the season.

He’d led going into the season finale at Monza, but a Feature Race full of twists meant that he’d fallen out of title-clinching position just two laps from home.

It was an outcome that Fornaroli says he simply couldn’t accept.

After dropping behind direct title rival Gabriele Minì, Christian Mansell then overtook the Italian to drop him to fourth, one place outside of a title-clinching position. A final lap attempt into the Roggia Chicane didn’t pan out, and after falling out of touch into Ascari, his bid looked to be over.

Fornaroli vs. Minì: F3's thrilling title decider

“The race was a mix of feelings, because I experienced a lot,” he admits reflecting on the race. “In that moment, right in that moment, I asked my engineer, ‘Am I still a champion?’

“He said ‘No, you're not, you're one point behind Gabriel, and you have to overtake Christian in front of you.’ So, there I started to be nervous. I remember I said to myself, ‘I can't believe I'm going to lose this title'.

“Going into the last corner I said, 'Okay, it’s all in. I cannot accept losing the title in the last two laps of the season. Let's try in the last corner. When they brake, I will try to remain full throttle for a bit more and see if I can get the move, and hope they will not close the door'.

“They were both in the middle of the track, but then they returned on the normal line. So I said, 'Okay, I have to send it.”

A daring swerve to the inside put him side-by-side with Mansell, and after the latter ran wide on the tyre marbles, Fornaroli re-claimed P3 and the Drivers’ title with it.

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: 2024 F3 Drivers Champion Leonardo Fornaroli of Italy and Trident (4) — Leonardo Fornaroli became 2024 F3 champion with his last-lap pass in Monza

“All the tension that I had during the weekend, during the race, during the two final laps were gone,” he explained. “It was an amazing feeling, the best one of my life.

“During all the cool down lap, we were all screaming on the radio with my engineer, with the team manager – everyone. Seeing all the people in the grandstands celebrating with me, it was amazing.”

GALLERY: Leonardo Fornaroli's Championship weekend in Monza

'I went back to him and gave him a big hug'

While he was victorious in the end, Fornaroli admits that his performance in Monza had not been the strongest of the title contenders.

His immediate feeling after getting out of the car was obviously jubilation, but he was aware enough in the moment to console his rival Minì and believes that his compatriot put together the more complete weekend.

“I was on the top of the car and Gabri came to shake my hand," Fornaroli said. “Of course, I stopped my celebration to shake his hand but then felt I had to do it properly.

“So, I went back to him and gave him a big hug. He did a very good race – I was starting P1, but I finished P3, and he was starting behind me and finished in front of me, so his race was better than mine.

“I'm very happy about this year. In Qualifying I didn't make a huge step forward because the pace was still good last year, but the biggest step was made into the race management. So even if I didn't take any wins this year, it was because of super consistency in the races that we managed to take the title.”

One of the first to congratulate Fornaroli on his title success was Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who offered his praise to the Italian in the F1 paddock.

“It was amazing,” Fornaroli said of the moment. “He’s a very nice guy, and to have the congratulations for him was, was super nice. I’ve seen in Drive to Survive and he’s watching the F2 and F3 races, so that was nice.”

The next chapter

With the Formula 3 title won, Fornaroli’s next steps are already known as he moves up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2025.

The confirmation arrived in the week immediately following his Monza triumph, and the 19-year-old has already begun his work with the Norfolk-based outfit as part of his preparations for next season.

“It's amazing to go in a top team in Formula 2,” Fornaroli said. “For two years I was in a top team in F3, now to be in another top team in F2 it's amazing, and I really can't wait.

“I’ve already talked with the team, spent some time with them and already I'm feeling very good with them. I can’t wait to get started with them.”

F2: Bortoleto reigns in Monza as he goes from last to first in Feature Race

Interestingly, he follows the path set by 2023 Trident teammate Gabriel Bortoleto, who claimed the F3 crown as Fornaroli’s Trident team mate before moving up to F2 with Invicta.

Fornaroli says that he did have brief conversations with Bortoleto throughout the year about the team. He will also be aiming to continue the similarities with the Brazilian next year as the McLaren Development Driver talent vies for the 2024 F2 title himself in his rookie campaign.

Last to First: Bortoleto's incredible F2 win at Monza

Fornaroli explained: “Throughout the year, we knew that there was a possibility to sign with them, and he was saying, ‘If you will sign with them, I would be so happy for you, because the team is amazing. The car is amazing. Everything, everyone here is super nice, and they will make you feel like you're at home'.”

For now though, Fornaroli will continue to get to know his new team and build for what comes next in his career, as F2 awaits in 2025.

“Next year we'll have more races, and the car is harder to drive compared to in F3,” he added. “The races are longer. So I'll try to relax a bit, but I have to be as ready as possible for next year.

“I’m super excited for this new challenge. Of course it could be hard but after this year, it’s a good thing for me.”