Doohan to miss first practice at Suzuka as Hirakawa makes home debut for Alpine · RaceFans

Jack Doohan will not take part in the first practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Alpine has confirmed Ryo Hirakawa will take part in the session in his home event at Suzuka.

The team signed the two-times World Endurance Champion in January as a test and reserve driver. It announced at the time he would participate in a practice session at Suzuka.

It has now confirmed Doohan, who is making his fourth start in a grand prix this weekend, will sit out the session, rather than his more experienced team mate Pierre Gasly.

Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine, Bahrain International Circuit, 2025 — Hirakawa tested for Alpine earlier this year

“I’ll be in the car from free practice two as Ryo drives in free practice one,” said Doohan in a statement issued by the team. “He has a lot of experience here so it will be good to take some of that knowledge for the weekend.”

It will be Doohan’s first visit to Suzuka for a race since his two wins in an Asian Formula 3 series event at the circuit in June 2019.

“The circuit is one I particularly love,” said Doohan. “I have raced there previously in Asian F3, but this will be my first time experiencing it in Formula 1 machinery which will provide a whole new challenge with its high speed and high-risk, high-reward nature.”

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Hirakawa said he “can’t wait” for his first appearance in an official F1 practice session at home. He previously drove for McLaren in the first practice session at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“I’m looking back 18 years ago to 2007, the first time I went to watch the Japanese Grand Prix,” he said. “It was a different track, Fuji, but it was Formula 1 in Japan.

“Since then, I started my racing career and now to drive during the weekend is going to be a dream come true, I just can’t wait. I have got everything prepared, we did simulator work in Enstone a few days ago and I’m going to enjoy the moment. Hopefully the weather is good, it will be a short session, but I will enjoy it and do my best for the team to hopefully input some direction on set-up.”

All F1 teams must give at least two opportunities to inexperienced F1 drivers in each of their two cars over the course of the season – twice as many as last year.