TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and TEAM IMPUL released on June 2, 2021, that Ryo Hirakawa (carenex TEAM IMPUL), who is currently 2nd in points behind Tomoki Nojirii in Super Formula, will participate in a World Endurance Championship (WEC) test in Portugal, which is being held in conjunction with Rd. 2 (scheduled for June 12 & 13) at that same venue. Due to COVID-19 protocol measures that are in place, Hirakawa will not be able to participate in Super Formula Rd. 4 at Sportsland SUGO on June 19 & 20. Driving in place of Hirakawa in Rd. 4 will be Mitsunori Takaboshi.

Hirakawa is currently 25 points behind Nojiri in the championship standings. After finishing with no points in Rd. 3 at Autopolis, and by missing Rd. 4, Hirakawa will certainly be looking to score as many points as possible in the second half of the Super Formula season.

Takaboshi, is a 28-year-old NDDP (Nissan Driver Development Program) driver. He was the 2017 Japanese Formula 3 champion and currently races in the GT500 class in Super GT. In 2020, Takaboshi raced in Super Formula Rd. 2 at Okayama on a spot basis where he finished 14th.

Ryo Hirakawa(carenex TEAM IMPUL)

Mitsunori Takaboshi(carenex TEAM IMPIL)