Ryo Hirakawa joins Haas as F1 reserve driver, replaces Alpine's Jack Doohan

Haas F1 Team has signed Ryo Hirakawa as its reserve driver for the 2025 season, moving from Alpine after a brief stint. The Japanese driver, who has extensive experience in the World Endurance Championship and has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will participate in four practice sessions this year, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix. Hirakawa expressed excitement about this new opportunity, highlighting the support from his team principal, Ayao Komatsu, and Toyota. His role is part of a technical collaboration between Haas and Toyota, aimed at showcasing junior driver talent. Hirakawa's departure from Alpine comes shortly after his impressive performance in a practice session, where he outpaced regular driver Pierre Gasly. This move is expected to enhance Haas's understanding of their car, with Hirakawa's experience considered valuable by the team.