In a surprising move, Ryo Hirakawa has stepped into the fast lane of Formula 1, joining McLaren as a reserve driver. This addition to the McLaren team has certainly turned heads in the motorsport world.

Hirakawa, a 29-year-old racing ace, is set to juggle his new F1 role with his ongoing commitments at Toyota, where he’s leading the Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship. Alongside his teammates Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley, he’s already claimed the title of reigning champions, conquering both the overall championship and the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours in 2022.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Hirakawa stated, “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’m now fully prepared and focused for the remainder of 2023.”

Acknowledging his dual role with Toyota, Hirakawa extended his gratitude to Toyota Gazoo Racing and its chairman Akio Toyoda for their support. His experience in multiple racing arenas has set the stage for his Formula 1 journey. Follow your favourite F1 team with attractive F1 betting odds from Nextbet. 

Andrea Stella, McLaren’s Team Principal, welcomed Hirakawa to the McLaren Racing family, emphasizing the driver’s impressive track record, which includes victories at Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Stella expressed optimism about the collaboration and underlined the benefits of Hirakawa’s expertise across various aspects of the team.

Despite this unexpected twist, it’s important to note that Hirakawa is no stranger to single-seater racing, as he currently competes in Japan’s Super Formula championship, where he finished as the runner-up in 2020. Furthermore, he’s tasted success in the highly competitive world of SUPER GT, securing the title for luxury brand Lexus in 2017, and he also boasts a championship in Japan’s F3 championship.

This move by McLaren adds an intriguing element to the team’s roster of reserve drivers, which already includes Stoffel Vandoorne and Felipe Drugovich from Aston Martin and Mercedes’ Mick Schumacher. The team had previously aimed to bring Alex Palou into the fold, but that plan fell through, leading them to explore the possibility of adding Pato O’Ward to their F1 reserve pool for 2024, pending the Mexican driver’s acquisition of a superlicence.

As Formula 1 enthusiasts eagerly anticipate how Hirakawa will perform in this new role, his multifaceted racing background suggests that he’s well-equipped to make his mark in the world of McLaren and Formula 1. Get the latest updates from the world of F1 only on Nextbet Sports.