Hirakawa to drive for Alpine in Suzuka

Alpine has confirmed Ryo Hirakawa will take part in the session in his home event at Suzuka, replacing Jack Doohan in the first one-hour practice session at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

Ahead of the current season, Alpine announced that Ryō Hirakawa would join the Anglo-French team as test and reserve driver for 2025, expanding the pool of drivers from which the Enstone-based team may call upon throughout the season for testing and driving duties.

Hirakawa previously fulfilled test driver duties at McLaren. As part of his duties at the Enstone-based squad, the Japanese driver will participate in the Alpine's TPC programme and support with car development and technical understanding using the team’s simulator throughout the 2025 season.

Hirakawa has collected a wealth of experience over the past years, having competed across various disciplines including Super Formula, Endurance, and Super GT as well as having tested in Formula One machinery in 2023 and 2024.

His most most remarkable result is his overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022, and he is also a two-time Hypercar Champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship (2022 and 2023).

Alpine has now confirmed that Hirakawa will drive in the opening practice at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

Commenting on his debut drive with Alpine, Hirakawa noted: “I'm very excited, I can’t wait to drive the A525 in Free Practice 1 this weekend. I’m looking back to 18 years ago to 2007, the first time I went to watch the Japanese Grand Prix, it was a different track, Fuji, but it was Formula One in Japan.

"Since then, I started my racing career and now to drive during the weekend is going to be a dream come true, I just can’t wait. I have got everything prepared, we did simulator work in Enstone a few days ago and I’m going to enjoy the moment.

"Hopefully the weather is good, it will be a short session, but I will enjoy it and do my best for the team to hopefully input some direction on set up. I just want to add my appreciation to everyone at the team for the opportunity and support.”

On the back of his disqualification from the Chinese Grand Pirx, Pierre Gasly insists that he is looking forward to racing in Suzuka given his previous experience from Super Formula.

“After two challenging races to start the season, where opportunities were there to be taken, I’m looking forward to getting back racing again for the first triple-header of the year. It was, of course, disappointing to receive the disqualification in Shanghai for a technical infringement, especially considering we were just outside the top 10, but we are aiming to recover this weekend in Japan, a country I know very well – and love – from my time in Super Formula.

"Suzuka is one of the great racetracks in Formula One, the “Esses” in the first sector is one of the best combinations to drive all year – it’s a high-speed, technical challenge which really tests the car and drivers. The fans in Japan are one-of-a-kind too which makes the event even more special.”

Although he will drive an F1 car in Suzuka for the first time, Jack Doohan has previously raced at the famous circuit in the Asian Formula 3 series.

“It has been great to have a week off to regroup as a team after a tough start to the season. Pierre and I have spent some time at the factory debriefing from the first two rounds and preparing for the upcoming triple header starting with Japan. I am a big fan of the food and the culture in Japan, and I love making a stop in Tokyo to experience the culture and atmosphere there.

"The circuit is one I particularly love. I have raced there previously in Asian F3, but this will be my first time experiencing it in Formula One machinery which will provide a whole new challenge with its high speed and high-risk high-reward nature.

"I’ll be in the car from Free Practice 2 as Ryo drives in Free Practice 1. He has a lot of experience here so it will be good to take some of that knowledge for the weekend. The aim will be to make the most of the weekend and score some all-important points for the team.”