F1 driver suddenly quits team for rival after 'impressing' at Japanese Grand Prix

An Alpine reserve driver has joined a rival Formula 1 team after impressing in his first practice outing at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Ryo Hirakawa, who races in the World Endurance Championship, was signed by Alpine at the beginning of the year to join their reserve and test driver pool, which also contains Franco Colapinto.

The Japanese driver replaced Jack Doohan in first practice at his home race, and his fastest lap was a tenth quicker than his far more experienced team-mate Pierre Gasly.

But Hirakawa, who previously represented McLaren last season before making the switch to the Enstone-based outfit, has made a second move in a matter of months.

The 31-year-old will now join Haas as their reserve driver for the rest of the 2025 season.

As part of his deal, Hirakawa will represent his new team in first practice at four different race weekends across 2025. The Race report that the first of those will be in Bahrain this week.

Image: Twitter/@HaasF1Team

It isn't an entirely unexpected move, as Hirakawa drove for the American team in the 2024 post-season test in Abu Dhabi.

He also competes for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the WEC, with Toyota having signed a 'multi-year technical partnership' with the Haas team last season.

Hirakawa won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 alongside former F1 drivers Sebastian Buemi and Brendon Hartley, and competed in Super Formula - Japan's top single-seater championship - between 2013 and 2023.

The Race claim that the Japanese driver has not given up on a full-time F1 race seat, though current Haas drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman are both signed up for 2026 and potentially beyond.

In a statement, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said: "It's great to welcome Ryo to MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and have his experience bolster our knowledge and understanding of the VF-25.

"His feedback was very detailed at the post-season test last year, so being able to provide Ryo valuable track time across four different circuits this year will help the entire team.

"As part of our collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing, it's great to welcome new talent into the team - it's a real pleasure to work with a racer of his driving acumen."