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A (very) late bloomer could finally get a shot in Formula 1

BBG News

As a seasoned motorsports enthusiast with a penchant for all things Japanese racing, I must say that Ryo Hirakawa’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. At 30, he’s proving that age is but a number when it comes to chasing dreams. His impressive performance in the Formula 1 arena, despite not following the traditional route, has caught my attention and left me eagerly awaiting what the future holds for this talented driver.

30-year-old Ryo Hirakawa is gathering racing experience as a substitute driver for McLaren in Formula 1 and a test driver for Haas. Recently, he took part in the initial practice session prior to last weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. He intends to drive for Haas during the post-season test, which is also set to occur in Abu Dhabi.

During his initial practice run, Hirakawa performed satisfactorily, ending up in the fourteenth position. His performance was about 1.5 seconds slower than Lando Norris, who topped the speed charts for McLaren. It’s fair to say that Hirakawa’s Formula 1 debut appeared promising to others and could mark the start of something potentially more substantial.

In the FIA World Endurance Championship, Hirakawa has achieved a double championship title, winning in both 2022 and 2023 consecutively. Given his continued engagement in Formula 1, there’s a possibility of another Japanese racer joining the competition, despite his advanced age.

Can Hirakawa still get a full-time Formula 1 drive?

For a 30-year-old individual, it might not follow the usual path via Formula 3 and Formula 2, but there’s an opportunity to gain advantage by joining teams that don’t have extensive junior driver development programs at present.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m eagerly speculating about my potential teams for the races in 2026 or 2027. Right now, it seems like Sauber (Audi), Haas, and potentially Aston Martin could be on my radar. Interestingly, Sauber and Haas are both planning to shake up their driver lineups come 2025, while Aston Martin is looking to stick with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso for the time being.

Since Gabriel Bortoleto’s deal with Sauber spans just a single year and he maintains links with McLaren, it goes without saying that his debut season’s performance will be under close scrutiny.

If the Brazilian driver doesn’t meet the team’s expectations, Mattia Binotto might consider Hirakawa as a possible substitute, assuming the team can’t recruit a promising young driver from another team. Additionally, Hirakawa could potentially fill the role vacated by Nico Hulkenberg in 2027 if the German driver decides to leave Formula 1.

Haas might also be an option for them, considering their potential lineup of junior drivers a few years down the line. If Oliver Bearman moves up to Ferrari following Lewis Hamilton’s retirement, it could boil down to Hirakawa and Dino Beganovic. Notably, Beganovic is expected to make his debut in Formula 2 for a full-time season next year.

For Hirakawa, Aston Martin could be another prospective choice; however, it seems to be the least probable among his top three options. At present, both Stroll and Alonso are bound by contracts extending until the year 2026. The future of their team beyond that period remains uncertain.

It’s likely that Jak Crawford, a current member of the Aston Martin Driver Development Programme, will be promoted to the team at some point. Given that Honda is expected to provide Aston Martin with engine power in 2026, they may have some say in who drives for the team in the future.

Yuki Tsunoda seems most likely for them, but Red Bull might let him go when their partnership with Honda ends. If Lawrence Stroll can’t get Tsunoda on board, he may consider Hirakawa as an alternative, unless more appealing choices arise.

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2024-12-12 14:32

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