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Ocon and Hirakawa to drive for Haas in Abu Dhabi test

Haas has confirmed that Esteban Ocon and Toyota’s World Endurance Championship star Ryo Hirakawa will drive for the team in Formula 1’s post-season test at Abu Dhabi, set to take place next week.

Ocon, recently released by Alpine ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is poised to begin his Haas tenure early while his premature departure from the Enstone squad will allow Jack Doohan to step into his seat for this weekend’s season finale at Yas Marina.

For Ocon, the Abu Dhabi test will represent an opportunity to familiarize himself with Haas’ machinery and with his new environment.

Following a tumultuous year with Alpine, his early release means Haas can expedite preparations for the 2025 season with their new driver.

Unfortunately, Haas’ initial plan to include Oliver Bearman in the Abu Dhabi test was derailed after the Briton became ineligible for the “young driver” component, having made three Grand Prix starts this season.

Read also: Ocon bids farewell to Alpine in heartfelt message

Ocon’s familiarity with the rigors of F1 and his established pedigree, including a Grand Prix win, are expected to provide valuable feedback for Haas as they aim to build on their performance heading into the next campaign.

Meanwhile, Hirakawa’s inclusion marks an intriguing development stemming from Haas’ growing technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing.

The US outfit’s collaboration with the Japanese manufacturer is expected to benefit Haas in multiple dimensions, including the potential discovery of fresh talent and offering Toyota’s younger engineers hands-on F1 experience.

Hirakawa will enjoy a busy few days in Abu Dhabi as the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours winner, who is also a member of McLaren’s driver development programme in F1, will also take part in Friday’s opening practice session at Yas Marina with team papaya, replacing Oscar Piastri.

The post-season test will see a host of driver line-up changes across teams.

At McLaren, Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward is set to take part, while Williams will give their young driver slot to Luke Browning, who finished third in this year’s Formula 3 championship.

Browning, a rising star in Williams’ junior program, will be joined at the test by incoming recruit Carlos Sainz.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.