Rio Hirakawa hopes to make it into Formula 1.

      Ryo Hirakawa has achieved a lot over his career: he once won the title in Japan’s touring-car series Super GT, then finished as runner-up in the national Super Formula, but his main achievements are linked to endurance racing. The Japanese driver, together with his teammates at the Toyota factory team, became WEC champion twice, in 2022 and 2023, and his record includes a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

      Since last year Haas F1 and Toyota Gazoo Racing agreed a technical partnership, it’s logical that this year Hirakawa became the American team’s reserve driver and took part in several practice sessions; yesterday in Mexico he drove Oliver Bearman’s car in the first session of the weekend.

      It seems Ryo has caught the bug to the extent that he already dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver — and since the 31-year-old Japanese driver is financially supported by the Toyota group, he theoretically has a chance.

      “At the moment I’m trying to get a seat in the main lineup,” Hirakawa told The Race. “I expect to take that step in the future and hope it will work out while I’m not too old yet. I just believe in it and do everything I can to prove I deserve such a chance. Of course, it’s not that simple, but I think I’m doing the right thing.”

      Haas F1 has long-term contracts with Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, and for now Ryo Hirakawa hopes to continue working with the team in 2026 as a reserve driver and test driver.

      In that case, if he manages to realize his dream, he could only debut in Formula 1 in 2027, when he will already be 33. He would then become the oldest debutant in modern F1 since André Lotterer, the German motorsport veteran who debuted for Caterham in 2014 at the age of 32.

      It’s also worth recalling that in 2006 the short-lived Super Aguri team fielded 31-year-old Japanese driver Yuji Ide, who, however, had a forgettable stint of just four races.

      One can only hope that Hirakawa will make such a favorable impression on Haas management that, supported by automotive giant Toyota, he will eventually take a seat behind the wheel of one of its cars. It’s not out of the question that this could happen if cooperation with the Japanese group expands.

      When asked about this, Aio Komatsu, head of Haas F1, replied: “Of course, we have been working closely with Ryo throughout the year. Now we have a program for next year as well. So we just have to observe the growth of his craft. He certainly understands what he will need to achieve in the future and handles his duties very professionally. We just have to help him develop.”

      It remains to add that yesterday Hirakawa finished the practice in Mexico 16th on the timesheets, despite driving a Formula 1 car at this circuit for the first time.