Photo: Fabrizio Boldroni/DPPI
Toyota driver Ryo Hirakawa believes his experience in Formula 1 testing last year was beneficial in improving his performance in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Hirakawa has been part of Toyota's Hypercar team since the 2022 season. His links with the Japanese manufacturer have also seen him take up a testing and reserve role with the McLaren F1 team from late 2023 .
As part of his duties for the Woking team, Hirakawa took part in numerous private tests on previous generation single-seaters, namely the 2021 MCL35M and the 2022 MCL36. He also had the opportunity to test official debut during a test session for the team at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
The 30-year-old Japanese driver also drove for Haas in the F1 post-season test in Abu Dhabi last month, as part of Toyota's new collaboration with the American team.
Hirakawa has decided to abandon his participation in Super Formula, which he had contested alongside the WEC in 2022 and 2023, in order to concentrate more on his work in F1 cars. A decision which, according to him, allowed him to progress in the WEC.
“The work I have done in Formula 1 has allowed me to discover new technologies and carry out tests, showing that I can still improve in certain areas which can be applied here [dans le WEC] “, Hirakawa told Sportscar365.
“I learned new techniques and a new way of thinking about my driving. Also, in F1 there is a lot of tire knowledge that can be transferred here. It's interesting to know what these drivers do during a week of racing to improve the car and the team. »
“The way they analyze your behavior taught me a lot. I feel like I was able to improve my driving significantly. »
“Sometimes I feel like I should do it this way or not, but they use certain terms that help me understand better. »
“Since I tested at McLaren, I have words to explain what is happening. Before, it was more about feeling, and that really changed the way I think about driving, what to do and what not to do. »
“Normally you follow your instincts, but sometimes you make mistakes. They express this more in sentences. This helps me a lot. Of course, we always use our instincts, but we add another dimension to them. »
Hirakawa and his teammates in Toyota's No. 8 GR010 Hybrid car, Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley, scored two wins in Sao Paulo and Bahrain, helping Toyota clinch the constructors' title in a tumultuous season that also saw a false not during the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The No. 8 car led more laps than any other at the French endurance classic, but was ultimately classified fifth after Hartley was hit by Ferrari driver Alessandro Pier Guidi at Mulsanne during the closing stages.
“This year has been difficult, but I think it has been beneficial for everyone to improve,” Hirakawa said. “Of course, Le Mans was the biggest disappointment, because we were in the lead for a long time, and the safety car came at the wrong time. »
“It was just a twist of fate, something we couldn't control. Our home race [à Fuji] was also disappointing, but now with so many manufacturers so close, one small mistake and you're out of the race. It's very difficult to fight against everyone. »
“We were a little unlucky. But when you're racing, results count, and it's been quite frustrating because of that. »
Despite failing to win at Le Mans and failing to challenge for the drivers' title, Hirakawa is confident his performances in 2024 show he is no longer behind his more experienced teammates in the Toyota No. 8.
“I think from my first year I was sometimes at that level, but not all the time, because sometimes I couldn't push, I just had to finish the relay without taking any risks,” he explained . “I was just careful not to make any mistakes. »
“Since last year, I've had more duels and more moments where I have to push. I would say for the last year I've been here. »
“This year has been a challenge with many new tracks, it was almost like my first year, having to learn as quickly as possible. But I was still able to perform well. »
“Also, I was able to qualify at Fuji, which I failed to do in my first two years, so for that reason I feel an improvement in myself and I was happy with my performance. »
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