McLaren has confirmed Ryo Hirakawa will drive the MCL38 during the first free practice session in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
It will mark the Japanese driver's first competitive outing in F1 machinery.
Hirakawa joined the McLaren F1 programme last year as a development driver and has played a significant role, carrying out simulator duties as the team hunts for its first constructors' title in 26 years.
The 30-year-old has driven McLaren F1 machinery before - namely the MCL35M in 2023 and the MCL36 in 2024 in private tests.
Hirakawa has extensive racing machinery, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022, as well as the World Endurance Championship in 2022 and 2023.
His FP1 outing will see Oscar Piastri step aside, with McLaren fulfilling the second of two rookie practice sessions this season.
Pato O'Ward, who is part of McLaren's racing stable, will take part in the post-season young driver test from the Yas Marina Circuit after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.
O'Ward has three FP1 outings to his name - including a 60-minute run at his home round in Mexico earlier this year.
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