P1racenews AI automatic summary:
What you need to know about the driver Toyota’s given McLaren
Ryo Hirakawa, the new McLaren Formula 1 reserve driver, has a strong connection with Nick Cassidy, who recently finished as the runner-up in the 2023 Formula E. They first crossed paths in 2016 when Cassidy was racing in Europe and also in Japan as a Lexus Team Tom’s driver, while Hirakawa was involved in Toyota’s search for future talent. They became teammates in 2017 in the Super GT championship, where they won the title. They have a great friendship and always supported each other on the track. Hirakawa has an impressive racing career, with achievements in Super GT, Le Mans 24 Hours, and the World Endurance Championship. According to Cassidy, Hirakawa has a strong desire to succeed and is more than just a typical racing driver. Their partnership in Super GT was successful because they understood each other well, were honest, and lacked egos. Other drivers like Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley also rate Hirakawa highly. Despite an unfortunate incident at Le Mans, where Hirakawa spun the car due to a miscommunication about the brake balance setting, he remains highly respected and admired by his teammates.
Source: The Race
