Ryo Hirakawa joins Alpine as F1 test and reserve driver

Japanese Ryo Hirakawa has joined Alpine as one of their two test and reserve drivers this year.

The 30-year-old, who was a development driver for McLaren in 2024, will take part in first practice at the Japanese Grand Prix for the team on 4 April.

Hirakawa, who raced in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota last year, will be one of two Alpine F1 reserves along with Estonian Paul Aron, who finished third in Formula 2 last year.

Alpine are also in talks with Argentine Franco Colapinto over a role with the team.

The 21-year-old has been under contract with Williams since 2023, and raced in the final nine grands prix of last season after the team dropped American Logan Sargeant.

Colapinto, who scored points in the Azerbaijan and US Grands Prix, impressed Williams and rival teams with the speed of his adaptation to F1.

Red Bull were considering signing him for their second team Racing Bulls in 2025 and had talks with Williams about a release, but their interest cooled after a series of crashes for Colapinto in the Brazilian and Las Vegas races.

Alpine have continued negotiations and are exploring options that could see Colapinto join the team’s driver line-up for 2025.