F1
F1 star leaves team after driving at Japanese Grand Prix in unexpected switch
Haas have signed Ryo Hirakawa from Alpine as the team’s official reserve driver after completing FP1 for the Enstone-based squad at the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday. The 31-year-old will drive for his new squad immediately in FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, replacing Oliver Bearman. Hirakawa has enjoyed support from Toyota throughout his career, winning two World Endurance Championship crowns with the Japanese manufacturer.
Toyota has partnered with Haas for the 2025 season onwards, and the fruits of this new relationship were witnessed ahead of the Australian Grand Prix when development driver and former Super Formula champion Ritomo Miyata completed a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session for the American squad. Speaking after the move was announced, Hirakawa said: “I’m excited to join MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, I really appreciate this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to a new journey with the team.
