Alpine received unexpected news: the Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa, who shared a team with Franco Colapinto, was confirmed as the new reserve driver for the Haas team. The Japanese driver, who participated in the first free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix and finished in twelfth position, will join the American team thanks to a collaboration between Toyota, the manufacturer he competed with in the World Endurance Championship, and the Formula 1 team itself, with whom they maintain a technological link.
With this new role, Hirakawa will be eligible to replace the Frenchman Esteban Ocon, former Alpine, or the Briton Oliver Bearman, in case either of them can't compete in a race.
"I'm excited to join Haas, I really appreciate this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to starting a new journey with the team. I'm going to do my first FP1 session in Bahrain, so for me having driven in two race weekends in a row is exciting, and I'm looking forward to getting to Bahrain," Hirakawa expressed after his incorporation into his new team was made official.
