Source: Official Team Post via X
Hirakawa Reflects on Dream F1 Debut with Haas in Mexico City
Ryo Hirakawa celebrated his unexpected Formula 1 debut with Haas, securing a points finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix. After being a last-minute replacement, he navigated the race to end up in the top ten following post-race penalties to other drivers.
Ryo Hirakawa experienced a dream debut in Formula 1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he managed to secure a points finish for Haas. Originally crossing the line in 13th, Hirakawa found himself bumped up to 10th due to penalties handed out to other drivers, including Oscar Piastri and the Alpine duo of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly.
Hirakawa, who was drafted in as a late replacement for Esteban Ocon, had already participated in the first practice session as a 'rookie' driver. This unexpected opportunity saw him qualify 19th, but he started the race a position higher after Liam Lawson incurred a grid penalty.
Throughout the 71 laps at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the Japanese driver was embroiled in the midfield tussle, focusing on completing the race to gather experience. Post-race, he joined an exclusive group of drivers who have scored points in their F1 debuts. "There was a lot to manage, particularly at the start and on the first lap," Hirakawa remarked, reflecting on the challenges of the race.
His strategy was to be cautious at the start, especially given the long run to Turn 1, filled with potential chaos. "I wanted to finish the race to learn as much as possible," he admitted, acknowledging a conservative approach early on. However, as the race progressed, he gained confidence, notably after the Safety Car period, which allowed him to overtake two competitors on the C5 tyres.
Looking ahead, Hirakawa's future in F1 remains uncertain, as Haas has yet to announce their driver line-up for the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, he is scheduled to compete in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota, where he remains in contention for the title. "I just need to savor this moment," Hirakawa said, soaking in the experience of his unexpected F1 opportunity. "I'm really happy; today was my dream."
For the time being, Hirakawa is content to enjoy his milestone achievement, uncertain if this will be his only shot at F1 glory. "Just enjoy this moment and see what we can do," he concluded, with the future still wide open.