Ryo Hirakawa to participate in the European Le Mans Series with G-Drive Racing in the second year of his European Toyota Young Drivers Program(TDP)

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is promoting the TDP to train racing drivers who can play an active part in the world and Japanese top category races.

The European TDP, which started last year aiming to nurture future WEC drivers, celebrates its second year and has decided to have Ryo Hirakawa (22) participate in the European Le Mans Series with G-Drive Racing.

G-Drive Racing will participate in #22 Oreca 07-Gibson car in the LMP2 class. Ryo's team-mate will be a Mexican driver, Memo Rojas, and third driver is not yet confirmed.

As Ryo Hirakawa will participate in the SUPER GT series, he will not participate in the third and fourth rounds of the European Le Mans Series.

■ 2017 European Le Mans Series Schedule:

Round 1: Silverstone (UK), April 15 (Saturday)
Round 2: Monza (Italy), May 14 (Sun)
Round 3: Red Bull Ring (Austria), July 23 (Sun) - Ryo Hirakawa will not participate
Round 4: Paul Ricard (France), August 27 (Sun) - Ryo Hirakawa will not participate
Round 5: Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), September 24 (Sun)
Round 6: Portimao (Portugal), October 22 (Sun)