McLaren Racing has signed Japanese 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Rio Hirikawa as a new member of its driver development program in 2024 and will act as reserve driver for the Formula 1 team.
Rio, 29, is an experienced professional who has competed in Japanese series such as Super Formula and Super GT, winning the 2022 World Endurance Championship with the Toyota factory team. He continues to compete in the WEC and currently leads the individual standings with his teammates in crew #8.
In 2024, Hirakawa will work on the simulator at the McLaren Technology Center in Woking, and will also test the 2021 car MCL35M. However, he will continue to compete for Toyota in the WEC.
Rio Hirakawa: “I am happy to be joining McLaren as a reserve driver. I am excited about the prospect of working with such a respected team and am grateful to Zach and Andrea for this opportunity. I had already met the team and practiced on the simulator, which allowed me to start the program. I feel like I will be completely ready for this work in 2023.
“I would also like to thank Toyota Gazoo Racing for allowing me to work with two teams.”
Andrea Stella, head of the McLaren F1 Team: “I am pleased to welcome Rio to McLaren Racing as a reserve driver for the Formula 1 team, this will strengthen the group of drivers working with us. We are grateful to Toyota Gazoo Racing for allowing Rio to take on this new role as he continues to serve as a driver for the team.
He has an impressive track record, including victories at Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship. We look forward to working closely with Rio, who has already worked in the McLaren Technology Center simulator and whose extensive experience will benefit our team in several areas.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
