The Haas F1 team has announced that they have signed Ryo Hirakawa as the reserve driver for 2025 with the Toyota Endurance Star team transitioning Alpine .

Hirakawa was included in Alpine's list of reserve drivers for this year and participated in the first practice session on Friday in Japan. Jack Doohan .

However, as part of Toyota’s technical partnership with Haas, Hirakawa will now transfer to the American squad for the rest of the season.

Hirakawa will manage all four rookie FP1 sessions for Haas, beginning with this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix where he will replace Oliver Bearman in the car.

The 31-year-old individual from Japan will similarly step in for Bearman in Mexico, taking over the role instead of him. Esteban Ocon In Barcelona and Abu Dhabi for FP1.

“I’m excited to join Haas F1 Team I genuinely value this chance, and I'm eagerly anticipating beginning a new chapter with the team," stated the two-time World Endurance Championship winner.

I'm participating in my inaugural FP1 session in Bahrain, which makes it particularly thrilling for me to have competed in back-to-back race weekends. I am really looking forward to heading to Bahrain.

I want to express my gratitude to [team principal Ayao] Komatsu-san, the Haas F1 Team, Morizo-san [Akio Toyoda, chairperson of Toyota Motor Corporation], and Toyota Gazoo Racing for providing this chance. It represents a fresh challenge for me, and I am eagerly anticipating getting underway.

Ryo Hirakawa, Haas VF-24

Image courtesy of: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

Hirakawa's responsibilities in Formula 1, which began McLaren In 2023, along with conducting a Haas test in Abu Dhabi recently, these efforts are part of Toyota’s strategy to showcase its leading driver talents for potential Formula 1 roles. This move comes as Toyota has been without a works team status in F1 since late 2009.

Rather than straying from it, Toyota has consistently participated in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and its prestigious race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2022, Hirakawa secured victory at this event alongside his win for Toyota; he had previously clinched the WEC championship both in 2022 and again in 2023. Additionally, he possesses extensive experience racing open-wheel cars within Japan’s premier Super Formula series.

"It’s fantastic to greet Ryo joining the Haas F1 Team and leveraging his expertise to enhance our comprehension and insight into the VF-25," stated Komatsu.

Last season’s post-test feedback from him was quite thorough, hence offering Ryo substantial track experience over four distinct circuits this year will benefit the whole team.

Collaborating with Toyota Gazoo Racing allows us to bring fresh talent onboard, which is truly exciting. It's an absolute delight to partner with such a skilled driver.

After Hirakawa left, Alpine still has three backup drivers available for this season – formerly Williams driver Franco Colapinto Paul Aron and Kush Maini.

Read Also: Doohan's DRS error led to F1 Japanese Grand Prix practice session accident