(Motorsports news) The Woking-based company recently canceled a long-running agreement to utilize Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne as it relocated its development to its own new Woking facility. Rather than being the end of their collaboration, it appears that McLaren and Toyota are evolving and growing closer.
McLaren stated ahead of last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix that Toyota factory driver Ryo Hirakawa has been added to their reserve driver roster for 2024. As part of the agreement, the Japanese would also participate in McLaren’s simulator program and conduct tests on its 2021 car.
Hirakawa’s contract appeared to be a last-minute decision, given he had never previously been on the radar of F1 teams, but it certainly coincided with Toyota’s effort to strengthen ties with grand prix racing. Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda’s appearance with McLaren at last weekend’s Japanese GP as part of a Toyota delegation further added fire to the perception of a growing interest in F1.
It has sparked speculation that McLaren is eyeing Toyota as a potential future engine partner if it decides to return to F1 at some time. “Then we took advantage and said, well, let’s add him to the reserve driver pool.” This is true not simply for the driver.
“We’re also interested in exchanging ideas about how we deal with performance and driver development.” So we’d like to broaden our horizons a little.” While there is the potential for closer ties to be formed in the coming years, speculations that Toyota would definitely return to F1 look to be premature for the time being.
