Ryo Hirakawa, the rising star from the FIA World Endurance Championship, is gearing up for an electrifying debut at the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix this weekend. The 31-year-old, who clinched victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 with Toyota, will be hitting the track for Alpine during the opening practice session.
Having joined Alpine’s reserve pool earlier this year, Hirakawa is no stranger to high-pressure situations. His responsibilities include Testing of Previous Car (TPC) running, technical support, and simulator testing. This opportunity to showcase his talent during FP1 at his home Grand Prix is a dream come true for the Japanese driver.
Expressing his excitement, Hirakawa stated, “I just can’t wait. I have got everything prepared, and I’m going to enjoy the moment. Hopefully, the weather is good, and I will do my best for the team to provide valuable input on setup.”
In a surprising turn of events, Jack Doohan will be stepping aside to make way for Hirakawa in FP1 at Suzuka. Despite the media frenzy surrounding his future, Doohan remains focused and aims to leverage Hirakawa’s expertise of the circuit to make a mark at the Japanese GP. He emphasized, “The aim will be to make the most of the weekend and score some all-important points for the team.”
With Doohan gearing up for Free Practice 2, the spotlight is undoubtedly on Hirakawa as he prepares to take on the challenging Suzuka circuit in Formula 1 machinery. The stage is set for an adrenaline-fueled showdown as these talented drivers gear up to leave their mark on the iconic Japanese Grand Prix.
