Haas: Ryo Hirakawa becomes F1 reserve driver as part of Toyota partnership. Ryo Hirakawa has been announced by the Haas team as the new reserve driver.

In the early hours of this morning, the Haas Formula 1 team announced the signing of Ryo Hirakawa as reserve driver for the 2025 season. The Japanese driver took the seat of the VF-25 just this morning after taking part in the first free practice session of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, although at the wheel of Jack Doohan’s Alpine.

Hirakawa, therefore, leaves the French team to join the American one due to the partnership that has been active for several months between Haas and Toyota Gazoo Racing, as he is one of the main drivers for the Japanese team in the WEC. This move will be final until the end of the season.

Hirakawa will take part in all four rookie-dedicated FP1 sessions for the team led by Ayao Komatsu. His first appearance is scheduled for this weekend, in the first free practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he will replace Oliver Bearman.

Furthermore, the experienced 31-year-old from Japan will make his second appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix, again replacing Oliver Bearman, while he will substitute Esteban Ocon in FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix held at Barcelona’s Montmeló circuit, and at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

He stated that he was very happy to join the Haas team, truly appreciated the opportunity, and was looking forward to beginning this new journey with the team. He added that he would drive in FP1 in Bahrain and that for him, running in two consecutive weekends would be really enjoyable. He was eager to get to Bahrain.

He expressed his thanks to Komatsu, the Haas team, Akio Toyoda, and Toyota Gazoo Racing for the opportunity. He described it as a new challenge for him and said he could not wait to start.

Ayao Komatsu, Haas team principal, added that it was great to welcome Ryo to the Haas F1 Team and to have his experience strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the VF-25. He said that Hirakawa’s feedback had been very detailed during last year’s post-season test, so the opportunity to provide him with valuable track time at four different circuits this year would help the whole team. As part of their collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing, he said it was nice to welcome new talent to the team, and it was a real pleasure to work with a driver of his driving intelligence.