Toyota is positioning junior driver Esteban Masson to step up to their World Endurance Championship Hypercar squad if Ryo Hirakawa secures a Formula 1 seat with Haas for 2027. Hirakawa remains one of three candidates shortlisted to replace Esteban Ocon at the American team, alongside Ferrari reserve Rafael Camara and reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornali.
Toyota technical director David Floury described promoting Masson as the logical choice if they lose 2022 Le Mans winner Hirakawa to Formula 1. The 32-year-old Hirakawa has completed several Formula 1 tests this year through Haas's Testing of Previous Cars program, which operates with Toyota's technical partnership.
Masson has been groomed as Toyota's next Hypercar prospect, driving the GR010 Hybrid at last November's Bahrain rookie test and the upgraded TR010 Hybrid at Le Mans test day in June. The Frenchman currently fights for the European Le Mans Series title and brings two LMP2 podiums at Le Mans to his record.
Toyota would face fielding a lineup without Japanese representation for the first time since 2015 if Hirakawa departs. Floury acknowledged the importance of having Japanese drivers but emphasized performance takes priority, noting they lack ready alternatives in their development roster who could step up at short notice.