Ryo Hirakawa

Ryo Hirakawa is a Japanese racing driver who competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the #8 TR010 Hybrid Hypercar alongside Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley. He joined the Toyota factory Hypercar program in 2022 and made an immediate impact in his debut season.

In his first year with Toyota, Hirakawa won both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship alongside Buemi and Hartley. The trio then successfully defended the WEC Drivers' title in 2023, giving Hirakawa back-to-back championships in the two seasons. Alongside his WEC duties, he has also served as a reserve driver for the Haas Formula One team.

Hirakawa has rapidly established himself as one of the strongest qualifiers in the Toyota squad. He put his car on the front row at the 2026 season-opening 6 Hours of Imola, beaten by just 0.011 seconds in Hyperpole. With the #8 car taking the race win at Imola, Hirakawa and his teammates enter the Le Mans 24 Hours among the favourites and with momentum on their side.