In a thrilling turn of events, Haas has announced that Ryo Hirakawa will be making his debut in FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix following his recent move from Alpine to Haas. This will mark Hirakawa’s second FP1 outing in just as many race weekends, showcasing his rapid integration into the Haas team.
Hirakawa, who joined Haas as a reserve driver after being part of Alpine’s reserve pool earlier this season, is set to replace Ollie Bearman in Friday practice at the Sakhir circuit. The talented Japanese driver had previously participated in an FP1 session at his home race in Japan and is now gearing up to showcase his skills behind the wheel of the VF-25.
Having already tested last year’s VF-24 during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi, Hirakawa is no stranger to the Haas machinery. He is scheduled to take part in four FP2 sessions with the team this season, with Bahrain being the stage for his first official outing.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu expressed his excitement about the upcoming weekend, stating, “We come back to Bahrain with a much better understanding of the car and as a better team. I’m looking forward to seeing how the new parts we brought to Suzuka perform here. We will have Ryō Hirakawa making his FP1 debut with us. We were very impressed with him when he drove for us in Abu Dhabi, so it’s great to welcome him back to the team.”
With Haas going beyond the minimum requirements by giving Hirakawa the opportunity to participate in two mandatory rookie FP1 sessions this season, the team is showcasing its commitment to nurturing young talent and providing valuable experience to up-and-coming drivers.
As the Formula 1 season continues to unfold with unpredictable twists and turns, all eyes will be on Hirakawa as he takes to the track in Bahrain, ready to make his mark and prove his worth on the challenging Sakhir circuit.
