Toyota is planning to make a return to Formula 1 in a unique way. At the recent Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren announced that Ryo Hirakawa, a Toyota supported driver, had been signed as a reserve driver for the team.
Hirakawa currently competes in the World Endurance Championship for Toyota in the premier Hypercar class. He drives the Toyota GR010 Hybrid LMH and had an impressive performance in the 2022 season. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and became the champion.
Starting from 2024, Hirakawa will take up the role of reserve driver at McLaren while continuing his commitment to Toyota in the World Endurance Championship. As a reserve driver, he will step in for one of McLaren’s F1 drivers if they are unable to race. This role requires him to regularly test McLaren’s F1 cars to ensure familiarity and readiness for a potential race. Additionally, reserve drivers also contribute to simulator development.
Toyota’s Past Experience with F1
Toyota participated in the F1 championship from 2002 to 2009, but they faced limited success despite having a considerable budget. The global financial crisis led to the discontinuation of Toyota’s F1 venture. It is unlikely the automaker will make a full return. The current Chairman, Akio Toyoda, has consistently mentioned F1 is too far removed from the development of Toyota’s production models.
“As long as I am president, I don’t think it will happen,” he has repeatedly emphasized when questioned about a potential F1 comeback.
However, Toyoda recognizes the importance of F1 to any Toyota supported driver and doesn’t want them to miss out on the opportunity. This is why he personally supported Hirakawa’s ambition to become a reserve driver at McLaren.
“As president of the company, I made the decision to quit F1,” Toyoda explained during the Japanese Grand Prix. “Since then, I have been involved in racing in various capacities, and although the drivers never explicitly express it to me, I have always sensed their desire to be recognized as the best in the world, to drive the fastest cars in the world, and to develop themselves through that experience.”