Ryo Hirakawa verified as McLaren’s reserve driver

McLaren Racing has declared that Ryo Hirakawa, the 2022 24 Several hours of Le Mans winner, will be a part of the Woking-dependent outfit as an F1 reserve driver as aspect of its Driver Improvement programme.

The 29-calendar year-previous Japanese driver has an remarkable file in Tremendous Formulation and Tremendous GT, as perfectly as securing the Hypercar Environment Stamina Drivers’ Championship title for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in 2022. He at the moment qualified prospects the 2023 Hypercar Environment Stamina Drivers’ Championship, most not too long ago successful the 2023 six Several hours of Portimão.

The Kure-born racer will help McLaren from 2024 in places such as simulator improvement at the McLaren Technological innovation Centre together with time on keep track of as aspect of our MCL35M tests programme. Regardless of his new F1 dedication, he will continue on to depict Toyota in the Environment Stamina Championship together with his obligations with McLaren.

Commenting on the announcement, Ryo Hirakawa, mentioned: “I’m satisfied to have joined the McLaren F1 Crew as a reserve driver. It is an enjoyable prospect to function with these kinds of a revered crew and I’m grateful to Zak and Andrea for the prospect. I have currently fulfilled the crew and seasoned the simulator at MTC which has permitted me to strike the floor working. I’m now absolutely organized and centered for the remainder of 2023.

“I would also like to acquire this prospect to convey two factors of appreciation. The to start with one particular goes to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. I am grateful to them for letting me to provide as a driver for the two groups. The next thank you goes to MORIZO-san (Akio Toyoda), who has supported me as a driver. As a driver himself, his assistance was that I must generate any motor vehicle that presents me the prospect to produce. I consequently want to make the most of this prospect and return the favor by exhibiting him how I have developed.”

Andrea Stella, Crew Principal, McLaren F1 Crew mentioned: “I’m happy to welcome Ryo to McLaren Racing as a Formulation one reserve driver to even further fortify our escalating help driver pool. We are grateful to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing for their collaboration by letting Ryo to acquire on the new position together with his driving obligations. He has an remarkable file on keep track of successful Le Mans as perfectly as the FIA Environment Stamina Championship.

“We search ahead to doing the job intently with Ryo who has currently used time on the simulator at MTC. His prosperity of knowledge will reward the crew in a quantity of places as he joins our sturdy steady of motorists.”