Toyota works with the Haas F1 Group via a technical and title-sponsorship partnership underneath the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing banner. The shut relationship has allowed Toyota to place ahead its FIA World Endurance Championship driver Ryo Hirakawa as a possible F1 candidate for the 2027 season. With efficiency considerations surrounding present Haas driver Esteban Ocon, Toyota has already indicated that it has a “plan” in thoughts ought to Hirakawa safe an F1 seat subsequent 12 months.
In keeping with a report by Sportscar365, no choice has been made at Haas about changing Esteban Ocon, however Toyota already has a plan in thoughts in case Ocon is dropped from the lineup. The French racing driver’s underwhelming efficiency has forged a cloud over his future with the American outfit. He has secured simply three factors within the season so far, whereas his teammate Oliver Bearman has scored 18 factors.
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Hirakawa, who can also be a Haas F1 reserve driver, was one of many three drivers the workforce evaluated throughout a Testing of Earlier Vehicles (TPC) session at Portimao final week alongside present F2 title contender Rafael Camara and reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli. It’s reported that the three drivers are potential Haas candidates for the 2027 F1 season.
Picture Credit score: Ryo Hirakawa / X
Toyota Racing technical director David Floury said {that a} plan has already been formulated for Hirakawa’s potential substitute of Ocon subsequent 12 months. He said:
“It isn’t sudden as a result of Ryo’s been testing with Haas since already fairly a very long time. As a workforce, we’ll assist Ryo and we want him one of the best profession path no matter.
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“We’re roughly lined anyway regardless of the choice is — it will likely be good once we know positively what’s his plan for subsequent 12 months.”
After the Portimao TPC check, Hirakawa mentioned:
“After three checks I am nonetheless a contender, which is basically good so simply preserve pushing and see what occurs.”
Hirakawa received the 2012 Japanese F3 title and spent 9 seasons racing in single-seaters in Tremendous Method earlier than he launched into the WEC problem in 2022, and received two championships. He believes he’s extra skilled than the opposite drivers being evaluated alongside him for the Haas F1 seat:
“I’ve completed a few years in Tremendous Method so I’ve expertise. Perhaps I’ve extra new tracks in comparison with different guys, but additionally I’ve the expertise, so let’s have a look at.”
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Whereas he’s set to have discussions about F1 subsequent week, Hirakawa mentioned he was nonetheless centered on WEC. He defined:
“Right here is essential for me and for the workforce for the championship, so simply centered now for this week and possibly subsequent week I am going to have some [F1] discussions.”
