McLaren signs Le Mans winner Hirakawa as F1 reserve

McLaren has secured the services of 2022 Le Mans 24 Hour winner Ryo Hirakawa as one of its reserve drivers for 2024.

The team was on the lookout for a new reserve option following Alex Palou’s decision not to honor a contract to join on the IndyCar side, with Pato O’Ward also expected to be part of that pool of drivers. At the Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren announced the current Toyota driver in the World Endurance Championship and Super Formula as another reserve from next year onwards.

“I’m happy to have joined the McLaren F1 Team as a reserve driver,” Hirakawa said. “It’s an exciting prospect to work with such a respected team and I’m grateful to Zak (Brown, CEO) and Andrea (Stella, team principal) for the opportunity. I’ve already met the team and experienced the simulator at MTC (McLaren Technology Centre) which has allowed me to hit the ground running. I’m now fully prepared and focused for the remainder of 2023.