F1 cult hero claims ‘the future is bright’ after surprise McLaren announcement

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Formula 1 cult hero Kamui Kobayashi claims ‘the future is bright’ after McLaren made a surprise announcement that Ryo Hirakawa is the team’s new reserve driver for 2024.

McLaren confirmed that Hirakawa will serve as their backup driver from next season ahead of FP1 for the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday. He will offer the Woking-based outfit cover for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. McLaren also tied Piastri down through 2026 on Wednesday.

Piastri has delivered a sensational rookie campaign beside Norris this year after stepping up to Formula 1 with McLaren. The 22-year-old has settled in at the team and produced a host of solid drives. His best result so far is fourth in Britain, plus second in the Belgian GP Sprint.

Why have McLaren named Hirakawa as a reserve driver?

Norris is also one of the best drivers on the F1 grid and has claimed three podium finishes in 2023. The 23-year-old took second at the British, Hungarian and Singapore Grand Prix after McLaren turned around one of the slowest cars on the grid to become regular front-runners.

But, despite having Piastri and Norris as race drivers, McLaren were in the market for a new reserve and have now hired Hirakawa. The papaya outfit turned to the 29-year-old after Alex Palou reneged on his deal to join their IndyCar team and serve as a Formula 1 reserve driver.

McLaren had hoped to lure Palou away from Chip Ganassi Racing but the 26-year-old turned down the deal after winning his second IndyCar title in 2023. So, attention turned to hiring Hirakawa with McLaren’s agreement to share reserve drivers with Aston Martin almost over.

Hirakawa will dovetail his Formula 1 duties with Toyota in WEC

Aston Martin agreed to share 2022 Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich and ex-McLaren racer Stoffel Vandoorne through the first 15 rounds of 2023. While McLaren can also call on Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher if Norris or Piastri have to sit out any Grand Prix.

McLaren, though, have tied Hirakawa down as their own reserve driver. The 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans winner will also join their Driver Development Programme. He will work in their simulator alongside his current drive in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota.

Hirakawa leads the Hypercar class in the WEC standings and also won the title in 2022 with teammates Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley. Autosport reports that McLaren still aim to name their IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward as an F1 reserve once he acquires a superlicence.

What has Kobayashi said about McLaren’s surprise announcement?

F1 cult hero Kobayashi – who drove 76 Grand Prix for Toyota, Sauber and Caterham – knows Hirakawa well. The 37-year-old races for Toyota in the Hypercar WEC category and is also the manufacturer’s team principal. So, he is thrilled to see Hirakawa land a role at McLaren.

Kobayashi has also thanked Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda – who goes by Morizo Kinoshita in motorsport – for making it possible for Hirakawa to secure a position with the Woking outfit.

“Morizo ​​supports us because we put the driver first,” Kobayashi posted on X. “The future is bright! Good luck Hirakawa! And thank you Morizo-san.”