Ryo Hirakawa is proof that hard work and perseverance pay off. Over the years, he has proven himself to be a formidable teammate and a supremely fast racer, but his journey from a Japanese karting prodigy to McLaren’s Reserve and Development Driver was far from straightforward.   

Ryo was born in 1994 in the Western Japanese prefecture of Hiroshima and started karting in 2007, winning the All Japan Junior Karting Championship series in only his second season.  

In 2009, he became the youngest driver in history to obtain a JAF International Limited A license at 16 years and one month after attending the Formula Toyota Racing School (FTRS). He then added another title to his belt in 2012 when he won the Japan F3 Championship series.  

The Japanese racer is described by those who know him as understated and serious but with a mischievous sense of humour. You could also add patience to that list, given that Ryo had to wait for his chance on the European racing scene. He made his European racing debut in 2016, competing in the European Le Mans Series at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a view to a permanent race seat in 2017. However, a vacant seat didn’t materialise as expected, and he returned to Japan.  

He went on to show his class back in Japan, teaming up with Nick Cassidy at TOM’s in 2017, where the 23-year-olds became the youngest duo to win the SUPER GT title. Ryo also returned to Europe to again compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Back in Japan, Ryo continued to add to his already-impressed CV, narrowly missing out on both the Super Formula and Super GT championship titles in 2020, finishing second in both series with bad luck arguably robbing him of the titles.  

He finished fourth the 2021 despite missing the finale for a three-day test with Toyota in Portimao. A further two-day test followed in Barcelona before it was announced that the Japanese racer had signed up to drive the No. 8 car of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).  

Ryo’s adaptation was helped by his two previous 24 Hours of Le Mans outings and by his time in SUPER GT, which features a diverse grid. He already spoke fluent English and fitted in seamlessly alongside former Formula 1 drivers Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley. Ryo won his first World Championship with the team in his debut season, winning twice and taking three P2’s in WEC, including a victory at Le Mans. Teaming up again in 2023, the trio are aiming for back-to-back WEC titles.  

Ryo currently continues to compete in Super Formula alongside his TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC commitments, finishing third in 2022 with two wins.