Ryo Hirakawa will drive Jack Doohan ’s Alpine In the initial session for this weekend’s 2025 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The Toyota World Endurance Champion has signed with Alpine as a reserve driver for this season following his previous role in the same capacity atToyota. McLaren last year.
Hirakawa made his Formula 1 weekend debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, stepping in as a replacement. Oscar Piastri in a McLaren MCL38.
"I am extremely enthusiastic; I just can't wait to take on the A525 during Free Practice 1 this weekend," stated the Japanese driver in an official Alpine team release, as he takes part in one of his four required rookie appearances across grand prix events for the team this season—two with each vehicle.
I'm reminiscing about 18 years ago when I attended the Japanese Grand Prix for the very first time in 2007. Back then, the race took place at Fuji Speedway, which had a distinct layout compared to today’s circuit. It marked the presence of Formula 1 in Japan. Since that experience, I embarked on my own racing journey. Now, having the chance to compete over the weekend feels like an incredible dream coming true; I am simply ecstatic with anticipation.
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Photo by: Pirelli
I've got everything ready; we conducted some simulator sessions at Enstone a couple of days back, and now I'm looking forward to savoring this moment.
I'm hoping the weather cooperates because we'll have a brief session. However, I plan to make the most of it and strive to help the team with potential insights into setup adjustments. Additionally, I'd like to express my gratitude to all team members for providing this chance and offering their backing.
Doohan, who has started his rookie season under considerable pressure due to Alpine stockpiling reserve drivers, including ex- Williams racer Franco Colapinto acknowledged that Hirakawa "brings considerable expertise from his past experiences here, making it valuable to absorb some of that wisdom over the weekend."
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Between 2013 and 2023, Hirakawa competed in Japan’s Super Formula, which is the country’s premier single-seater series known for achieving F1-like speeds. The season includes numerous events held throughout the year at tracks such as Suzuka.
Ainotiunderstands that Hirakawa left McLaren’s reserve driver fold to join Alpine because he was offered a better shot at one day making an F1 bow as Piastri and Lando Norris are locked up at McLaren for several years.
Hirakawa is a double WEC champion with Toyota, with which he won the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours at the very start of the championship’s Hypercar era.
His Toyota deal also means he is an unofficial reserve driver for Haas, which has a technical partnership with the Japanese manufacturer, and has completed F1 end-of-season and Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) running for the American squad in recent months.
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