Source: Official Team Post via X
Meet Ryo Hirakawa: Haas's Newest Driver Making His F1 Debut
Ryo Hirakawa is set to make his Formula 1 race debut with Haas at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Japanese driver brings a wealth of experience from various racing categories, including a championship-winning stint in the World Endurance Championship.
Haas's decision to feature Ryo Hirakawa in their driver lineup at the Mexico City Grand Prix marks a significant moment for the 32-year-old Japanese racer. After several Free Practice 1 outings, Hirakawa steps into the spotlight, replacing Esteban Ocon for the entire event.
A Journey Through Racing Tiers
Hirakawa's path to Formula 1 began with karting in Japan, eventually leading him to single-seater racing in 2010. His early career saw him competing in Formula Challenge Japan and the Japanese Formula 3 Championship, where he quickly made his mark by winning his debut race and taking home the 2012 championship title.
He then advanced to Super Formula in 2013, joining the Toyota Young Driver Program. Over nine years, Hirakawa accumulated four wins and four pole positions. His versatility shone through as he also competed in the GT500 class of Super GT from 2014 to 2021, clinching the championship in 2017.
Triumph in Endurance Racing
In 2022, Hirakawa expanded his racing repertoire by joining the World Endurance Championship's Hypercar class with Toyota Gazoo Racing. Teaming up with Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley, he won the Drivers' Championship in his first season, and the trio repeated this success in 2023, including back-to-back wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As of 2026, Hirakawa and his team continue to lead the championship standings.
Breaking into Formula 1
Hirakawa's F1 journey gained momentum in September 2023 when he joined McLaren's Driver Development program and became their reserve driver, debuting in FP1 at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A year later, he moved to Alpine as a test and reserve driver, making another FP1 appearance at his home race in Japan. His shift to Haas brought more practice opportunities in 2025 and 2026, culminating in his latest call-up.
A Surprising Call-Up
Hirakawa's unexpected promotion to the Haas race seat for the Mexico City Grand Prix came as a surprise, following his FP1 session in Ocon's car. As the oldest F1 debutant since Andre Lotterer in 2014, Hirakawa enters the race weekend with high hopes. While Lotterer's F1 career was cut short by mechanical failure after just one lap, Hirakawa, qualifying 19th, will aim for a more memorable outing in his first race.
This weekend represents a significant milestone in Hirakawa's career, showcasing his diverse experience and readiness to tackle the challenges of Formula 1.