F1 NEWS:Alpine Announces F1 Driver Swap for Japanese G…read more
F1 NEWS:Alpine Announces F1 Driver Swap for Japanese G…read mor
Alpine has confirmed a driver swap for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, with Jack Doohan sitting out FP1 in favor of Japanese test and reserve driver, Ryo Hirakawa. The 31-year-old will make his debut with Alpine at the Suzuka Circuit, where he will test the team’s 2025 car for the first time.
This swap is part of Alpine’s commitment to running a rookie driver in each of their cars at least twice during the 2025 season, an increase from the one required rookie per car in 2024.
After FP1, Doohan will return to his A525 for the remainder of the weekend, aiming to secure his first points of the season following a difficult start. The Australian driver has faced challenges in his first few races as a full-time driver, with multiple mistakes during the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix weekends.
The decision to replace Doohan, rather than his more experienced teammate Pierre Gasly, has raised some eyebrows, as the 22-year-old is under increasing pressure to perform. Doohan, who was a reserve driver for Alpine in 2023 and 2024, was promoted to the main seat alongside Gasly for 2025. However, the arrival of reserve drivers such as Hirakawa, Paul Aron, and Franco Colapinto—who impressed during his 2024 season with Williams—has added competition for his position.
Hirakawa, who made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2024 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is eager to get behind the wheel for Alpine. Reflecting on the opportunity, he said, “I’m very excited, I can’t wait to drive the A525 in FP1 this weekend. It’s a dream come true to race at Suzuka, especially after watching my first Japanese Grand Prix in 2007. We recently did simulator work at Enstone, and I’m looking forward to enjoying the moment, helping the team with setup, and doing my best in the short session. I appreciate the team for this incredible opportunity and their support.”
As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Hirakawa’s performance in FP1 and whether Doohan can bounce back in FP2 and beyond.
