Ryo Hirakawa 
via Motorsport.comToyota’s replacement plan if Ryo Hirakawa lands Haas F1 seatToyota is preparing for a possible reshuffle in its driver line-up as Ryo Hirakawa is being considered for a seat at Haas in Formula 1. If Hirakawa departs the World Endurance Championship, Esteban Masson is expected to step up to Toyota's Hypercar squad, with team technical director David Floury indicating that promoting Masson would be a logical decision.
Hirakawa, who has been testing F1 cars for Haas, McLaren, and Alpine, is among the candidates to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas. Although Rafael Camara is seen as a strong contender for the seat, a final decision has yet to be made. Floury expressed confidence in Hirakawa's ability to adapt to F1, citing his extensive experience in Super Formula and private testing.
Motorsport.comWed 30 Sep · 08:41 UTC
via newsonf1.comFornaroli unlikely as Haas decision nearsLeonardo Fornaroli remains a candidate for the Haas seat currently held by Esteban Ocon, but McLaren CEO Zak Brown indicates that the team expects him to continue in their reserve role. Haas has been evaluating several drivers, including Fornaroli, Rafael Camara, Ryo Hirakawa, and Jack Doohan, as they consider a potential change for the 2027 season.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu stated that an announcement regarding Ocon's future will be made soon, as they have completed evaluations of the candidates. Komatsu acknowledged that all tested drivers have performed well, highlighting the team's fortunate position of having multiple talented prospects to choose from.newsonf1.comFri 25 Sep · 07:02 UTC
via grandprix.comKomatsu confirms five-driver fight for Ocon's Haas seatHaas team principal Ayao Komatsu has confirmed that Esteban Ocon is one of five drivers vying for a single seat in the 2027 season. The other contenders include Ryo Hirakawa, Jack Doohan, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Rafael Camara, with testing already underway to assess their performances. Ocon's experience and familiarity with the team are highlighted as significant factors in the selection process, especially following a challenging 2026 season for Haas.
The team is gathering comparative data from various tests, with performance being the primary criterion for selection. While Ocon has the advantage of experience, the younger drivers bring different relationships with the team's partners and varying levels of performance. The decision on the driver lineup does not need to be immediate, but the testing program indicates a serious evaluation rather than mere contingency planning.grandprix.comFri 4 Sep · 09:53 UTC
via f1technical.netHaas steps up 2027 driver evaluation with latest TPC testHaas has intensified its evaluation for the 2027 driver lineup by conducting a three-day Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program at Portimao, featuring drivers Ryo Hirakawa, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Rafael Camara. This test is part of Haas' strategy to assess potential candidates, especially as the team has not yet finalized its future driver lineup. The current drivers, Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, are the focus of the team's efforts as they aim to maximize performance in the present season.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu indicated that while the team is exploring options for 2027, there is no urgency to make decisions. The recent tests allow Haas to evaluate drivers with diverse backgrounds, including a reserve driver, a reigning F2 champion, and a Ferrari junior. Komatsu reiterated the team's commitment to supporting Bearman and Ocon in achieving their best performance before shifting focus to future prospects.
f1technical.netMon 31 Aug · 10:00 UTC