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Ryo Hirakawa has been announced as the official reserve driver for Haas for the remaining 2025 season. The Japanese star was part of Alpine’s reserve driver for the season however, the Toyota’s technical alliance with Haas, Hirakawa will now ally with the American side for the remaining season. After Hirakawa’s departure, Alpine has the services of former Williams driver Franco Colapinto, Paul Aron and Kush Maini for the entire year. Hirakawa’s responsibility will be to look after all four rookie FP1 slots for Haas, kicking off at the upcoming weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where he will drive Oliver Bearman’s car. The 31-year-old will also replace Bearman in Mexico and will supersede Esteban Ocon in Barcelona and Abu Dhabi FP1.
“I am excited to join Haas F1 Team, I really appreciate this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to a new journey with the team. I am driving my first FP1 session in Bahrain, so for me to have driven at two race weekends in a row is exciting, and I can’t wait to get to Bahrain,” Hirawaka was quoted as saying. The star Japanese racer also added, “I would like to thank [team principal Ayao] Komatsu-san, Haas F1 Team, Morizo-san [Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation] and Toyota Gazoo Racing for this opportunity, it’s a new challenge for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
Hirakawa's experience will help Haas achieve success in the season
Hirakawa has been outstanding in his career. The Japanese bagged overall triumph at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 and is also a two-time Hypercar champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship (2022 and 2023). He also possesses single-seater experience in Japan's domestic Super Formula category.
“It’s great to welcome Ryo to Haas F1 Team and have his experience bolster our knowledge and understanding of the VF-25,” said the team’s boss Ayao Komatsu. He also added, “His feedback was very detailed at the post-season test last year, so being able to provide Ryo valuable track time across four different circuits this year will help the entire team."
