Haas to Replace Ocon with Ryo Hirakawa at Mexican GP

Haas has announced that Esteban Ocon will not race for the rest of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The French driver will be replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa. The team did not share the reason for the change, but confirmed that Ocon was not being replaced due to illness.

Ocon voiced his frustration over team radio after finishing 13th in the second practice session. He objected to starting the session on medium tyres instead of soft. After the change of plan, he told his engineer Laura Mueller, "don't do this to me."

Haas had previously announced that Ocon would leave the team at the end of this season. The driver had spent two years with the American-owned squad.

Hirakawa is 32 years old. With Toyota GAZOO Racing, he won the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2022 and 2023, and he also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022. On Friday, he finished 15th in the first practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in the VF-26. This was his third practice session appearance of the season.

The Japanese driver will work with teammate Ollie Bearman during the final practice session and qualifying laps. On Sunday, he will make his Formula 1 race debut in the 71-lap race.