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McLaren Racing F1 Team Moves on From Alex Palou, Adds 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner

le mans 24 hour race practice  qualifying
McLaren F1 Moves on from IndyCar Champ Alex PalouJames Moy Photography - Getty Images

The McLaren Racing Formula 1 team has moved on from Alex Palou.

The team announced today that it has signed 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Ryo Hirakawa to be a reserve driver as part of its Driver Development program. The 29-year-old Hirakawa was part of the winning Toyota Gazoo team, along with former F1 drivers Brendon Hartley and Sebastien Buemi, at Le Mans. The Toyota trio currently leads the WEC Hypercar standings.

Hirakawa's duties with McLaren Racing will include work on the simulator at the McLaren Technology Center and track time with the MCL35M testing program.