Alpine have added Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa to their ranks for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Hirakawa will act as the team’s test and reserve driver behind their full-time competitors Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan. The 30-year-old is their second reserve driver after Alpine signed Paul Aron for 2025 last year.
Alpine will be looking to build upon an impressive end to what was an overall disappointing 2024 season. The Enstone-based team had only scored 14 points from the first 20 Grand Prix.
But Alpine’s incredible double podium at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix propelled them to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. Jolyon Palmer was in awe of Gasly’s performance as he matched Lewis Hamilton’s points total for the last four events.
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
666 |
| 2 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
652 |
| 3 |
Red Bull Racing |
589 |
| 4 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
468 |
| 5 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
94 |
| 6 |
Alpine F1 Team |
65 |
| 7 |
Haas F1 Team |
58 |
| 8 |
Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team |
46 |
| 9 |
Williams F1 Team |
17 |
| 10 |
Sauber F1 Team |
4 |
The Frenchman will be eager to build upon the team’s late charge in 2025. Gasly snatched 10th from Nico Hulkenberg in the Drivers’ Championship with his seventh place finish in the final round in Abu Dhabi.
His teammate Doohan will be looking to make an impression after finally getting his chance in F1 following the departure of Esteban Ocon. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Hirakawa will be hoping to get as much mileage as possible with Alpine.
Alpine will give Ryo Hirakawa his debut in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix
Hirakawa has enjoyed great success in sports cars, winning the World Endurance Championship with Toyota in 2022 and 2023, and he has made a few appearances in F1 machinery.
The Japanese driver signed with the McLaren Driver Development Programme in 2023 and was their reserve driver last season. He made his F1 debut in FP1 in Abu Dhabi with McLaren, before Hirakawa drove with Haas in the post-season test, given his connections to Toyota.
The 30-year-old will leave McLaren to take up his reserve role with Alpine in 2025 alongside Aron.
And the Enstone-based team confirmed in their press release that Hirakawa will get his first appearance with the team in FP1 at his home event at Suzuka. The Japanese Grand Prix is scheduled for the 4-6 April.
Jack Doohan is under more pressure at Alpine with Franco Colapinto signing imminent
The announcement of Hirakawa as Alpine reserve driver will only add more pressure on full-time driver Doohan, who is already facing the possibility of being sidelined.
The Aussie endured a difficult debut in Abu Dhabi and will be eager to adjust to life in F1 properly in 2025. However, reports suggest Doohan’s contract is only guaranteed for the first six races.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Alpine have been in talks with Franco Colapinto to bring him to the team for Williams after impressing as Logan Sargeant’s replacement in 2024.
The Argentine is said to be very close to agreeing on a deal and an announcement could be imminent. With Colapinto signing, it is likely means Doohan will be out of Alpine before he even gets a proper chance to show his potential.
