McLaren Racing has introduced that Ryo Hirakawa, the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, will be a part of the Woking-based outfit as an F1 reserve driver as a part of its Driver Development programme.
The 29-year-old Japanese driver has a powerful file in Super Formula and Super GT, as effectively as securing the Hypercar World Endurance Drivers’ Championship title for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in 2022. He presently leads the 2023 Hypercar World Endurance Drivers’ Championship, most not too long ago successful the 2023 6 Hours of Portimão.
The Kure-born racer will assist McLaren from 2024 in areas together with simulator growth on the McLaren Technology Centre alongside time on observe as a part of our MCL35M testing programme. Despite his new F1 dedication, he’ll proceed to symbolize Toyota within the World Endurance Championship alongside his duties with McLaren.
Commenting on the announcement, Ryo Hirakawa, stated: “I’m blissful to have joined the McLaren F1 Team as a reserve driver. It’s an thrilling prospect to work with such a revered workforce and I’m grateful to Zak and Andrea for the chance. I’ve already met the workforce and skilled the simulator at MTC which has allowed me to hit the bottom operating. I’m now absolutely ready and centered for the rest of 2023.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to express two points of appreciation. The first one goes to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. I am grateful to them for allowing me to serve as a driver for the two teams. The second thank you goes to MORIZO-san (Akio Toyoda), who has supported me as a driver. As a driver himself, his advice was that I should drive any car that gives me the chance to develop. I therefore want to make the most of this opportunity and return the favor by showing him how I have grown.”
We are excited to welcome Ryo Hirakawa to our Driver Development programme as a F1 reserve driver. 🙌
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— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 22, 2023
Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team stated: “I’m happy to welcome Ryo to McLaren Racing as a Formula 1 reserve driver to additional strengthen our rising assist driver pool. We are grateful to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing for his or her collaboration by permitting Ryo to tackle the brand new position alongside his driving duties. He has a powerful file on observe successful Le Mans as effectively as the FIA World Endurance Championship.
“We look forward to working closely with Ryo who has already spent time on the simulator at MTC. His wealth of experience will benefit the team in a number of areas as he joins our strong stable of drivers.”
