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Japanese Ryo Hirakawa has joined Alpine as one of their two test and reserve drivers this year.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 30-year-old, who was a development driver for McLaren in 2024, will take part in first practice at the Japanese Grand Prix for the team on 4 April.<\/p>\n
Hirakawa, who raced in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota last year, will be one of two Alpine F1 reserves along with Estonian Paul Aron, who finished third in Formula 2 last year.<\/p>\n
Alpine are also in talks with Argentine Franco Colapinto over a role with the team.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old has been under contract with Williams since 2023, and raced in the final nine grands prix of last season after the team dropped American Logan Sargeant.<\/p>\n
Colapinto, who scored points in the Azerbaijan and US Grands Prix, impressed Williams and rival teams with the speed of his adaptation to F1.<\/p>\n
Red Bull were considering signing him for their second team Racing Bulls in 2025 and had talks with Williams about a release, but their interest cooled after a series of crashes for Colapinto in the Brazilian and Las Vegas races.<\/p>\n
Alpine have continued negotiations and are exploring options that could see Colapinto join the team’s driver line-up for 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n