BWT Alpine Formula One Team sign Ryo Hirakawa as Reserve and Test Driver

The BWT Alpine Formula One Team have announced signing Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa as their Reserve and Test Driver for the 2025 season.

Hirakawa will be also running the French team’s simulator and take part in Alpine’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme. The 30-year-old will help the team with car development and technical understanding of using the simulator throughout the season, while also taking part taking part in the Free Practice 1 session at the Japanese Grand Prix later this year. 

The Japanese driver started his motorsports career in the Formula Challenge Japan in 2010. Since then, he has participated in various motor-racing series across the globe, having won the Japanese Formula 3 Championship, Super Taikyu — ST-1, Super GT – GT500, the FIA World Endurance Championship – Hypercar (twice), and the 24 Hours of Le Mans – Hypercar. He was a Test and Reserve Driver for McLaren in F1 last year, the Woking-based team having gone on to win the Constructors’ Championship.

Ryo Hirakawa, Test and Reserve Driver, BWT Alpine Formula One Team, commented:

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

Oliver Oakes, Team Principal, BWT Alpine Formula One Team, added:

“It is great to bring Ry? 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.“

Also read: BWT Alpine Formula One Team join forces with Castore