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Ryo Hirakawa will drive ’s in opening observe 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 final 12 months.
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Hirakawa made his F1 weekend debut on the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP, changing in a McLaren MCL38.
“I am very excited, I can’t wait to drive the A525 in Free Observe 1 this weekend,” the Japanese driver stated in an Alpine group assertion, as he fulfills the primary of 4 obligatory rookie outings in grands prix per group this 12 months – two in every automotive.
“I’m wanting again to 18 years in the past to 2007, the primary time I went to look at the Japanese Grand Prix, it was a special observe, Fuji, however it was Method 1 in Japan. Since then, I began my racing profession and now to drive throughout the weekend goes to be a dream come true, I simply can’t wait.
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Ryo Hirakawa, AlpinePirelli
Pirelli
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“I’ve obtained all the pieces ready, we did simulator work in Enstone a number of days in the past and I’m going to benefit from the second.
“Hopefully the climate is sweet, it will likely be a brief session, however I’ll get pleasure from it and do my finest for the group to hopefully enter some course on set-up. I simply need to add my appreciation to everybody on the group for the chance and help.”
Doohan, who has began his rookie season below appreciable strain resulting from Alpine stockpiling reserve drivers, together with ex- racer , acknowledged that Hirakawa “has numerous expertise right here so it will likely be good to take a few of that data for the weekend”.
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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 occasions a 12 months at Suzuka.
Motorsport.com understands that Hirakawa left McLaren’s reserve driver fold to affix Alpine as a result of he was supplied a greater shot at in the future making an F1 bow as Piastri and are locked up at McLaren for a number of years.
Hirakawa is a double WEC champion with Toyota, with which he received 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) working for the American squad in latest months.
