📷 Formula 1
On April 4, 2025, the Japanese Grand Prix starts at Suzuka Circuit. Ryo Hirakawa will drive the Alpine A525 car during the first practice session (FP1). The 31-year-old Japanese driver gets a big chance to race at home.
He’s known for winning the World Endurance Championship twice (2022 and 2023) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022. Now, he’s Alpine’s test and reserve driver for 2025 and will take over from Jack Doohan for FP1.
📷 Motorsport Week
Hirakawa is excited. “I can’t wait to drive the A525 in FP1 this weekend,” he said. He remembers watching his first F1 race in Japan in 2007 at Fuji. “Since then, I started racing, and now driving here is a dream come true.”
He knows Suzuka well from racing there before, but driving an F1 car is new. He’s ready after practicing in the simulator a few days ago. “I’ve got everything prepared,” he said. “I’ll enjoy it.”
Alpine picked Hirakawa for FP1 because he knows Suzuka and can help the team. They’ve had a tough start to 2025, with no points after two races. Doohan said, “He’s raced here a lot, so he can give us good info for the weekend.” Team boss Oliver Oakes added, “He brings experience and helps our drivers.” Hirakawa will also work on the car’s setup and do more testing later in the year.
📷 RacingNews365