F1 News: McLaren Takes on New Reserve Driver

McLaren inducted Toyota Le Mans 24 Hours 2022 champion Ryo Hirakawa as its reserve driver for 2024.

McLaren's addition of reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa into its driver development program will see the Japanese driver contribute to the team's testing with its 2021 MCL35M car, in addition to supporting the team with its simulator. 

Hirakawa will pitch in for the Woking outfit as a part of his F1 testing duties but as a full-time driver, he will continue to race for Toyota which leads the Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship. 

The 29-year-old driver and his teammates Brendon Hartley and Sebastien Buemi won the Le Mans 24 hours in 2022. As Formula 1 gears up for the weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, Hirakawa explained in a press release:

“I’m happy to have joined the McLaren F1 team as a reserve driver,

"It’s an exciting prospect to work with such a respected team and I’m grateful to Zak [Brown] and Andrea [Stella] for the opportunity.

"I’ve already met the team and experienced the simulator at MTC which has allowed me to hit the ground running. I’m now fully prepared and focused for the remainder of 2023.

"I am grateful to [Toyota Gazoo Racing] for allowing me to serve as a driver for the two teams. The second thank you goes to Morizo-san [Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda], who has supported me as a driver."

McLaren Press Image

On the Japanese driver's induction into the team, Team principal Stella added:

“I’m pleased to welcome Ryo to McLaren Racing as a Formula 1 reserve driver to further strengthen our growing support driver pool.

"We are thankful to Toyota Gazoo Racing for their collaboration by allowing Ryo to take on the new role alongside his driving duties. He has an impressive record on track winning Le Mans as well 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."

Hirakawa has also had an impressive run in single-seater racing as he raced in Japan's Super Formula Championship where he was a runner-up in 2020. He has also been a winner of the Japanese F3 Championship, in addition to winning the Super GT trophy for Lexus in 2017. 

For the first 15 rounds of the 2023 season, McLaren had an agreement to share Aston Martin reserve drivers Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne. Mercedes's Mick Schumacher is also a part of McLaren's reserve drivers. 

After the deal with IndyCar Champion Alex Palou got canceled with the matter currently reaching London courts, McLaren is currently on the job to add current IndyCar star Pato O'Ward to its F1 reserve drivers for 2024, once he gets his super license.