Haas F1 Team Signs Ryo Hirakawa as 2025 Reserve Driver

The Haas Formula 1 team has made an exciting announcement, revealing that Ryo Hirakawa will join the team as its 2025 reserve driver. This move comes after Hirakawa’s departure from Alpine.

From Alpine to Haas F1 Team

Previously part of Alpine‘s reserve driver roster, Hirakawa took on the role during Friday’s first practice in Japan, replacing Jack Doohan. However, due to Toyota’s technical alliance with Haas, Hirakawa will now be moving across to the American team for the remainder of the season.

In this new role, Hirakawa will take charge of all four rookie FP1 slots for Haas, starting at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix where he steps into Oliver Bearman’s car. The 31-year-old Japanese driver will also deputize for Bearman in Mexico, and will replace Esteban Ocon in Barcelona and Abu Dhabi FP1.

A New Journey Begins

Speaking about his new role, Hirakawa expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m excited to join Haas F1 Team, I really appreciate this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to a new journey with the team.” He further added, “I’m 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.

Gratitude and New Challenges

Hirakawa expressed his gratitude towards team principal Ayao Komatsu-san, Haas F1 Team, Morizo-san [Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation] and Toyota Gazoo Racing for this opportunity. He acknowledged that it’s a new challenge for him and he can’t wait to get started.

Toyota’s Goal and Hirakawa’s F1 Duties

This move forms part of Toyota’s goal to expose more of its top-line driver talent to F1 opportunities, with the Japanese giant absent from F1 as a works team since it pulled out at the end of 2009. Instead, Toyota has been a mainstay of the FIA World Endurance Championship and its Le Mans 24 Hours crown jewel. Hirakawa won the event with Toyota in 2022 and has also claimed two world championship titles in the top class. He also boasts plenty of single-seater experience in Japan’s domestic Super Formula category.

A Pleasure to Work with a Racer of His Driving Acumen

Team boss Komatsu expressed his pleasure at welcoming Hirakawa, stating, “It’s great to welcome Ryo to Haas F1 Team and have his experience bolster our knowledge and understanding of the VF-25.” He further 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.”

Alpine’s Remaining Reserve Drivers

Following Hirakawa’s departure, Alpine still has three reserve drivers at its disposal this year – former Williams driver Franco Colapinto, Paul Aron and Kush Maini.