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Hirakawa was chosen to replace Kazuki Nakajima aboard the #8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid this season off the back of his successes in both Super Formula and SUPER GT in recent seasons, joining Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley.
The trio went on to take victory in June’s double-points Le Mans round and at Fuji in September, with second place in this month’s Bahrain finale behind the sister #7 car delivering Toyota its fourth straight WEC crown.
Reflecting on his succ …