Alpine has announced Ryo Hirakawa will drive the first free practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.
Hirakawa joined the Enstone-based squad as a reserve driver for the season, a role he is carrying out in tangent with his Toyota duties in the World Endurance Championship.
It is not the first outing Hirakawa will have in an FP1 setting as he drove for McLaren in Abu Dhabi last year.
On this occasion, he will replace Jack Doohan at Alpine for the opening practice outing of the event around the Suzuka Circuit.
“I'm very excited, I can’t wait to drive the A525 in Free Practice 1 this weekend,” Hirakawa previewed.
“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 F1 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.”
Alpine enter the Japanese GP weekend looking to get its point-scoring campaign underway as it currently sits bottom of the constructors' standings.
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they look ahead to this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix! Yuki Tsunoda's promotion is a major talking point, as is Max Verstappen being unhappy at the driver change. Ferrari's bizarre start to 2025 is also discussed amongst several other topics.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and win an F1 scale model car of your favourite driver!
Win amazing F1 prizes!Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!