On the occasion of the Hungarian Grand Prix, we had the opportunity to interview Leonardo Fornaroli: team driver Trident in Formula 3. His adventure with the Italian team began in 2022, taking part in the European regional Formula 3 championship. The following year he landed in the category in which he still races: F3.
From the podium in Imola to the desire to climb to the top step of the podium
In this 2024 season the results were not long in coming, Leonardo in fact took third place in the first Sprint Race in Sakhir. The streak of podiums then continues, first in the Melbourne Feature, followed by that of Imola and finally that of Barcelona. However, there is something different about these results, it's not the step on the podium or the number of overtaking attempts to reach that position at the finish line. It is perhaps a familiar air, that of home, that of Imola.
"It was very nice to make the podium in Imola in front of the Italian fans, it's a track that I really like. However, it wasn't one race very lucky because we could have played for the victory instead of third place. Unfortunately, however, on the third lap – in the straight – I had a bump and my car turned off in the time it took me to restart it I lost 3 positions and the chance to fight for the victory. But getting on the podium was still nice".
Constancy is a concept that Leonardo made his own and which he put into practice throughout the year. In fact, in the 14 races played this season, the driver from Piacenza managed to score points in all but two: the Sprint in Imola and the one in Austria. The desire to win can be seen in his eyes, in the end that's what all riders want and that's what he wants too.
"Unfortunately I still haven't won a race after two years – in Formula 3. We came very close in Imola but a bit of bad luck didn't allow us to get it. The last 2 races were a bit unlucky, I made some mistakes, especially in Austria. If the weather at Silverstone had been more certain, perhaps we could have played for the victory".
Leonardo Fornaroli's feelings after qualifying for the Hungarian GP
But now it's time to live in the present and for him the present is the circuit hungaroring. On this track he has already competed in 2022 - taking home a fourth and fifth place, as well as the best result of the season - and in 2023.
"It is a very beautiful, technical and very difficult circuit. Qualification is important here because overtaking is not exactly easy. The only way will be to manage the tires as much as possible and see if any of them will degrade a little more at the end of the race and attempt the attack there.".
La qualification of the Hungarian GP has just ended and Fornaroli obtained third position. On Sunday, when the traffic lights go out, he will start from the second row.
"It's a good result but I'm not very happy”, he confesses to us. “I found myself having a lot of difficulty with the machine in understanding the sensations it gave me. The extreme temperatures due to the asphalt which exceeded 50° C and the strong sun they made the track very slippery. We did three laps and the best was the second. In the first one I totally made a mistake, in fact I was 20th, but then I managed to make a decent time in the second set. Unfortunately in the last attempt I wasn't able to improve because I struggled a lot with the overheating on the rear. I'm not very happy, but it is still a good position for the two races".
Everything is ready for the two races of the weekend
The high temperatures of the asphalt will make the two races of the weekend treacherous and the shape of the track does not allow overtaking easily. The Trident pilot he explains to us how he will tackle the Sprint and the Feature.
"In the Sprint I will start from tenth position. This year we have the hard ones compared to last year where we had averages, therefore there will be a little less degradation, but as in Bahrain and Barcelona that will be the key point of the race. Now I will try to see together with my engineer and the team how septare the car for the race e adjust any trajectories to try to wear the tires as little as possible. In Features my goal is to go back up and aim for victory. If my start is good, at Turn 1 we can attempt an attack for second position, otherwise I will try to stay there and manage the race as best as possible and try to attack at the end".
Finally we ask him if in these cases we can make a wish. He hints at a smile and answers “yes” and then good luck Leo!
