Sports · Motorsport · 58 mins ago
Ocon says disagreement preceded Haas’s decision to replace him in Mexico
Haas replaced Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the rest of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend.
The change came after Ocon had driven in Friday practice, where he had a tense exchange with his race engineer over a change to his run plan.
Ocon said a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion the night before Haas announced the decision.
He rejected claims that physical violence was used and called for disagreements to be handled professionally.
Haas has not explained why it made the change, and the matter remains unclear.
Hirakawa qualified 19th on his Formula 1 debut.
Haas has not said whether Ocon will race again for the team this season, and Ocon said further updates would come later.
Haas replaced Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the rest of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
Ocon said a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with people involved the night before the decision.
He denied reports that physical violence occurred and asked for speculation to be avoided.
Haas did not explain its decision, but said it was not because Ocon was ill.
Ocon had argued with race engineer Laura Mueller during second practice on Friday over a change involving strategy or tyres.
- Who
- Haas replaced Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.
- What
- Ocon was dropped for the rest of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. He said a disagreement preceded the decision and denied that violence was used.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 2026; Ocon said the discussion took place the previous night.
- Where
- Mexico City Grand Prix, at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
- Why
- Haas has not stated its reason. Ocon said a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ocon took part in second practice and had a testy exchange with race engineer Laura Mueller over strategy or a run-plan change.
Ocon said a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with the parties involved.
Haas announced that Hirakawa would replace Ocon for the rest of the weekend.
Ocon issued a statement denying that physical violence was used.
- Driver replaced
- Esteban Ocon
- Replacement
- Ryo Hirakawa, Haas reserve driver
- Event
- Mexico City Grand Prix
- Practice dispute
- Second practice on Friday, October 30
- Haas’s stated explanation
- No reason given; the decision was not due to illness
7 sources
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What people are saying
Last night, a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with the parties involved.
Whilst I acknowledge that this took place, I categorically reject any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences of any nature.
I think you have to be smart picking your battles.
Posts on X
Following the recent decision from Haas F1 Team confirming that I will not be participating in this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, I wish to formally address some media reports and speculation surrounding the situation. Last night, a difference in viewpoints led to a