Another driver has confirmed they are switching teams after the Japanese Grand Prix, despite having only signed for his now previous employer at the start of this year
Early season driver moves have been something of a theme already in 2025. Of course, the high-profile one was Red Bull’s ruthless decision to drop Liam Lawson back to their junior team after only two rounds and replace him with Yuki Tsunoda.
Now, after the Japanese Grand Prix, there has been another notable switch. This time, though, it is not one of the 20 drivers who currently holds a race seat, rather one of those waiting for their opportunity as a reserve and test driver.
He only joined Alpine as one of their several backup racers in January this year, and made one appearance driving in first practice at Suzuka last Friday. But already Ryo Hirakawa is heading to pastures (fairly) new having now been confirmed by Haas as having joined in a similar role.
The Japanese driver, 31, is a World Endurance Championship title winner on two occasions, including a victory at the famous 24 Hours of La Mans. Given his nationality and affiliation with Toyota, his appearance at the Japan F1 weekend makes perfect sense.
And now that Alpine have reaped whatever commercial benefits they may have got from that, they are happy to let Hirakawa move on. Haas seems to be a more natural home for him given their technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
READ MORE: F1 news: Michael Schumacher’s family celebrates joyous update amid Japanese Grand Prix falloutREAD MORE: Kimi Antonelli breaks F1 record after beating Lewis Hamilton again at Japanese Grand Prix
He has driven for Haas before, having driven in post-season testing for the team last December. “It’s great to welcome Ryo to MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and have his experience bolster our knowledge and understanding of the VF-25,” said team principal and fellow Japanese Ayao Komatsu.
“His feedback was very detailed at the post-season test last year, so being able to provide Ryo valuable track time across four different circuits this year will help the entire team. As part of our collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing, it’s great to welcome new talent into the team – it’s a real pleasure to work with a racer of his driving acumen.”
Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1 package
£43
£35
Sky
Get Sky Sports here
Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifying and race live with Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192.
As well as Sky Sports access, this includes more than 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Hirakawa was impressive in his practice outing for Alpine at the weekend, ending the session 12th on the timesheets and ahead of the team’s regular driver Pierre Gasly. And, as part of his new role, he is set to make further appearances later this year.
That includes at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where Hirakawa is slated to take over Oliver Bearman’s car for first practice. Three other appearances are planned for the races in Spain, Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
While Hirakawa initially overlooked Haas in favour of Alpine when deciding who he would work for this season, his choice was made because he felt the latter could offer a clearer route to a potential race seat. However, he ended up being one of four reserves at Alpine while, at Haas, he will be the only one on their books.
Hirakawa will continue to race in WEC this season with Toyota Gazoo Racing which has some rounds that clash with F1 events, and so he will not always be available to step into a race seat if required. In such a case, Haas could turn to engine suppliers Ferrari and borrow one of their two reserves, former Sauber drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu.
