F1: Alpine signs Ryo Hirakawa as test and reserve driver

Alpine Formula 1 Team has signed 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Ryo Hirakawa as test driver and reserve driver for the 2025 season. He will participate in Alpine’s Test Used Cars (TCP) program, supporting car development through simulator sessions, and make his Alpine track debut at the Japanese Grand Prix in April. Previously, Hirakawa represented Toyota in the Supercar category of the World Endurance Championship and won two championships. In December, following Toyota’s technical cooperation with the American F1 team, he tested Haas’s 2024 F1 car at the Abu Dhabi young driver test. Hirakawa is now a member of Alpine, joining a reserve driver line-up that includes Formula 2 champion Paul Aron, and will use his expertise to bolster the team’s talent pool.

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Ryo Hirakawa said: “I am honored to join the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team as a test driver and reserve driver for the 2025 season. As always, track time opportunities in Formula 1 are at the pinnacle for racers and I am delighted It’s great to be able to drive Practice 1 in front of a home crowd at the Japanese Grand Prix and to work with a team that has tested previous cars is a great opportunity to work with such a dedicated team who draw on the wealth of experience in their driver pool. I look forward to working together to make 2025 Be a positive year.”

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Alpine F1 Team Principal Oliver Oakes said: “We are delighted to have Ryō joining the team in 2025 and taking over driving duties in Japan FP1 in front of his home crowd. His addition brings diversity to our existing line-up racing experience and expands the talent pool available to call upon for his role through our TPC. The planning and simulator work is important to support the team in all areas of development and we look forward to welcoming him to the team as we continue to prepare for the new season.”

F1: Alpine signs with Castore as new equipment partner

The Alpine F1 Team has partnered with Castore, appointing the British sportswear brand as its official equipment supplier. Castore will provide Alpine F1 drivers, engineers and staff with racing and team apparel on and off the track. In addition to the racing suit, Castore will also manage Alpine’s online store.

The partnership also includes the Alpine Academy and Alpine Sim Racing programme. Athletes in these disciplines will wear Castore apparel, further expanding the brand’s role within the Alpine motorsport community.