Alpine confirm new driver for 2025 F1 role

Alpine has announced it has signed Ryo Hirakawa to a test and reserve driver role for its F1 team in 2025.

The 30-year-old will run on the French squad's simulator and embark on a testing of previous cars (TPC) programme.

Whilst Alpine has an increasingly-stacked roster of drivers behind Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan, it highlighted that it was "expanding the pool of talent from which the team may call upon throughout the season for testing and driving duties."

As part of that experience, Hirakawa will drive in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, the third round of the 2025 F1 season.

"It is an honour to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team as a Test and Reserve Driver for the 2025 season," he said.

"As always, the opportunity of track time in Formula One machinery is the pinnacle for race drivers and I am excited to drive in Free Practice 1 in front of my home crowd at the Japanese Grand Prix, as well as working with the team testing previous cars.

"It is a great opportunity to be working with such a dedicated team that utilises the breadth of experience of its driver pool and I look forward to playing a part in making 2025 a positive year together."

Hirakawa took overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 and is a two-time hypercar champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship, in 2022 and 2023.

The Japanese racer filled a similar role for McLaren last season and made his FP1 debut for the Woking team at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the papaya squad went on to win its first F1 constructors' title in 26 years.

Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes added: "It is great to bring Ryō on board with the team for 2025 and have him step in to take over driving duties for FP1 in Japan in front of his home crowd.

"His addition brings a diverse range of racing experience to our current roster and expands the pool of talent available to call upon throughout the season.

"His role will be important in providing the team with support in various areas of development through our TPC programme and simulator work, and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the team as we press ahead with preparations for the new season."