Toyota World Endurance Championship driver Ryo Hirakawa has joined Alpine as a take a look at and reserve driver and can make one look in a System 1 apply session this 12 months.
Hirakawa, 30, received the WEC drivers’ title twice with Toyota, and shared victory within the Le Mans 24 Hours with Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley in 2022. He made his F1 apply debut with McLaren within the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix final 12 months and likewise examined for the staff.
Alpine has now confirmed he’ll undertake an analogous position for them this 12 months. He’ll benefit from driving alternatives beneath F1’s testing of earlier automobiles rules. Hirakawa can even get to drive for the staff within the first apply session for his house occasion, the Japanese Grand Prix, on April 4th.
“It’s nice to deliver Ryo on board with the staff for 2025 and have him step in to take over driving duties for FP1 in Japan in entrance of his house crowd,” stated Alpine staff principal Oliver Oakes. “His addition brings a various vary of racing expertise to our present roster and expands the pool of expertise out there to name upon all through the season.
“His position will probably be essential in offering the staff with assist in numerous areas of growth by means of our TPC programme and simulator work, and we’re trying ahead to welcoming him to the staff as we press forward with preparations for the brand new season.”
Hirakawa joins System 2 driver Paul Aron as considered one of Alpine’s reserves for 2025. “The chance of monitor time in System One equipment is the head for race drivers and I’m excited to drive in free apply one in entrance of my house crowd on the Japanese Grand Prix, in addition to working with the staff testing earlier automobiles,” he stated.
View the present record of 2025 F1 drivers and groups
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