MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Announces Ryō Hirakawa as Official Reserve Driver
April 7, 2025
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is pleased to announce Ryō Hirakawa as its Official Reserve Driver for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The Japanese driver – who currently competes for Toyota GAZOO Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship – joins the American marque following a successful outing at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi last December where he drove the team’s VF-24.
Having participated in several FP1 outings with F1 teams, from 2024 to as recently as last weekend in Japan, Hirakawa brings experience from across the paddock, and is scheduled to get behind the wheel of the VF-25 at four FP1 sessions this season.
Taking over driving duties from Ollie Bearman for FP1 this weekend in Bahrain, Friday April 11, ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, and again in Mexico later in the season – team-mate Esteban Ocon will then vacate his seat for free practice sessions for Hirakawa in Spain and Abu Dhabi.
The 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, and two-time Hypercar Champion has experience over multiple disciplines; including Super Formula, Super GT and the World Endurance Championship.
“I’m excited to join MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, I really appreciate this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to a new journey with the team,” commented Ryō Hirakawa. “I’m driving my first FP1 session in Bahrain, so for me to have driven at two race weekends in a row is exciting, and I can’t wait to get to Bahrain. I would like to thank Komatsu-san, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, Morizo-san (Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation) and Toyota GAZOO Racing for this opportunity, it’s a new challenge for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
“It’s great to welcome Ryō to MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and have his experience bolster our knowledge and understanding of the VF-25,” shared Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. “His feedback was very detailed at the post-season test last year, so being able to provide Ryō 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.”
The 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship continues with Round 4 – the Bahrain Grand Prix – at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 11-13.