Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Haas replaces Esteban Ocon with Ryo Hirakawa for rest of Mexico GP
Haas replaced Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the rest of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
Hirakawa will join Oliver Bearman for final practice, qualifying and Sunday’s race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The 32-year-old Japanese driver has taken part in seven Formula 1 practice sessions but has never raced in the series.
He has won two World Endurance Championship titles and the Le Mans 24 Hours with Toyota.
Haas gave no reason for the change, which came after Ocon finished 13th in second practice and argued with race engineer Laura Mueller about tyre choice.
Hirakawa is set to make his Formula 1 race debut in the 71-lap grand prix.
The move also comes as Ocon is expected to be replaced by Rafael Camara, though the team has made no further statement about its decision.
Haas replaced Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
Hirakawa is set to partner Oliver Bearman in final practice, qualifying and Sunday’s race, making his Formula 1 race debut.
The team gave no reason for the change; Sky Sports reported that Ocon was not ill.
Ocon finished 13th in second practice after a dispute over whether to use soft or medium tyres.
Hirakawa, 32, finished 15th in Friday’s first practice session.
- Who
- Haas replaced Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.
- What
- Hirakawa will take Ocon’s place for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, including the race.
- When
- The change was announced on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
- Where
- The Mexico City Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
- Why
- Haas gave no reason for the change. Sky Sports reported that Ocon was not ill.
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Hirakawa drove in first practice, finishing 15th overall.
Ocon returned for second practice and finished 13th.
Haas announced that Hirakawa would replace Ocon for the rest of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
- Replacement
- Ryo Hirakawa for Esteban Ocon
- Team-mate
- Oliver Bearman
- Hirakawa's age
- 32
- Hirakawa's FP1 result
- 15th
- Ocon's second-practice result
- 13th
- Grand prix distance
- 71 laps
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What people are saying
Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
don't do this to me