Haas confirms drivers for end-of-season testing, including Ocon

Without surprise, Esteban Ocon will have the opportunity to drive in Abu Dhabi. Not at the Grand Prix, since the Frenchman was asked to give up his place to Jack Doohan for the final meeting of the 2024 season, but for the end-of-season tests. The Tricolore will thus have the opportunity to discover the team with which he will be a regular driver next year.

In addition to French, Haas confirmed the presence of a second driver during these tests: Ryō Hirakawa. The 30-year-old Japanese is best known for being a pilot ofEndurance, with five participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for a victory in 2022 with ToyotaThe native of Kure (Japan) is also a double Endurance World Champion in 2022 and 2023.

Hirakawa will thus chain two official sessions in a few days, since he will drive during Free Practice 1 with McLarenThe Japanese driver's presence at Haas for the post-season tests follows the new collaboration between Haas and Toyota, made official earlier this year.

The name of Ryō Hirakawa, teammate of Sébastien Buemi et Brendon Hartley in the Toyota GR010 Hybrid in the Hypercar category of the WEC, had often returned to the press conference when this new alliance was announced. A future role with Haas has not yet been communicated, but the person concerned could inherit the role of third driver behind the incumbents Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.

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