Doohan changed by Hirakawa at Alpine for Suzuka FP1

Ryo Hirakawa will drive Jack Doohan’s Alpine in opening apply for this weekend’s 2025 Method 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

The Toyota World Endurance Championship champion has joined Alpine as a reserve driver for the season after fulfilling the identical position at McLaren final yr.

Hirakawa made his F1 weekend debut on the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP, changing Oscar Piastri in a McLaren MCL38.

“I am very excited, I can’t wait to drive the A525 in Free Apply 1 this weekend,” the Japanese driver stated in an Alpine workforce assertion, as he fulfills the primary of 4 obligatory rookie outings in grands prix per workforce this yr – two in every automotive.

“I’m wanting again to 18 years in the past to 2007, the primary time I went to observe the Japanese Grand Prix, it was a distinct monitor, Fuji, nevertheless it was Method 1 in Japan. Since then, I began my racing profession and now to drive through the weekend goes to be a dream come true, I simply can’t wait.

“I’ve obtained every part ready, we did simulator work in Enstone just a few days in the past and I’m going to benefit from the second.

“Hopefully the climate is sweet, it is going to be a brief session, however I’ll get pleasure from it and do my greatest for the workforce to hopefully enter some course on set-up. I simply wish to add my appreciation to everybody on the workforce for the chance and help.”

Doohan, who has began his rookie season beneath appreciable stress as a result of Alpine stockpiling reserve drivers, together with ex-Williams racer Franco Colapinto, acknowledged that Hirakawa “has numerous expertise right here so it is going to be good to take a few of that information for the weekend”.

Hirakawa raced in Japan’s Tremendous Method between 2013 and 2023 – the nationwide single-seater championship that hits F1 speeds and races a number of instances a yr at Suzuka.

Motorsport.com understands that Hirakawa left McLaren’s reserve driver fold to affix Alpine as a result of he was provided a greater shot at someday making an F1 bow as Piastri and Lando Norris are locked up at McLaren for a number of years.

Hirakawa is a double WEC champion with Toyota, with which he gained the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours on the very begin of the championship’s Hypercar period.

His Toyota deal additionally means he’s an unofficial reserve driver for Haas, which has a technical partnership with the Japanese producer, and has accomplished F1 end-of-season and Testing of Earlier Automobiles (TPC) operating for the American squad in latest months.