Ryō Hirakawa new pilot Alpine F1 Team

Alpine welcomes a new driver into its ranks in Formula 1. It is not Franco Colapinto, despite the rumors of recent weeks, but Ryō Hirakawa. The 30-year-old Japanese is best known for his career in Endurance since he rides in the World Endurance Championship with the Toyota Gazoo Racing. He won the Drivers' title in the Hypercar category twice with the Japanese manufacturer, in 2022 and 2023, and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 with Sébastien Buemi et Brendon Hartley.

Welcome to the Team, Ryō 🇯🇵

He joins the Team as a Test & Reserve Driver alongside Paul Aron 👊

READ MORE 🔗👇

—BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) January 9, 2025

Hirakawa is no stranger to Formula 1, having had the opportunity to drive in test sessions with McLaren, notably during Free Practice 1 of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A few days later, he was on track with the team Haas, still on the Yas Marina side, for the tests dedicated to beginners. The association between the American team and Toyota, effective since Friday October 11, seemed to open the door to a reserve role for Hirakawa at Haas, but it is finally the colors ofAlpine which he will wear in 2025. Within the team with the arrowed A, the native of Kure (Japan) will occupy the role of test and reserve driver.

Hirakawa on track with Alpine in Suzuka

Hirakawa will have the opportunity to help the team in the simulator, while participating in the test program with the old single-seaters (TPC). That's not all, since the Japanese will have the opportunity to drive in front of his home crowd during Free Practice 1 of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. “It is an honor to join BWT Alpine Formula One Team as test and reserve driver for the 2025 season, declares the person concerned. As always, the opportunity to spend track time in a Formula 1 car is the ultimate experience for drivers. I am excited to be driving in front of my home crowd in Free Practice 1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, as well as working with the team to test some of the older cars. Working with a team that is so committed to harnessing the full range of experience from its drivers is a fantastic opportunity and I look forward to playing my part in making 2025 a positive year.”

“It’s great to welcome Ryō to the team for 2025 and it will be great to have him behind the wheel in FP1 in Japan in front of his home crowd, adds Oliver Oakes, team principal ofAlpine F1 Team. His arrival brings a diverse cross-section of experience to our current driver group while broadening the talent pool at our disposal throughout the season. His role will be important in supporting the team in various areas of development through our TPC programme and simulator work, so we look forward to welcoming him as we continue our preparations for the new season.”

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