Haas drops Ocon for the rest of the Mexico City GP, Ryo Hirakawa makes his F1 race debut
Haas gives no reason beyond "not due to illness", Ocon was quicker than Bearman on Friday, and Hirakawa already drove the car in first practice
Update, 3 November: Haas has confirmed that Ocon will not return to a race seat this season. Rafael Câmara takes his place at the São Paulo Grand Prix: Rafael Câmara makes his F1 debut for Haas.
Hirakawa’s next choice, between Haas at Interlagos and the WEC title at Monza: Hirakawa: Interlagos or Monza?
Result, 1 November: Max Verstappen won the Mexico City Grand Prix ahead of Lewis Hamilton, and Kimi Antonelli finished third to become the 2026 Formula 1 world champion. Full classification: Mexico City Grand Prix 2026 results. Our report: Verstappen wins as Antonelli is crowned.
Update, 1 November: Ocon has since responded on X. He confirms that a discussion took place on Friday night and rejects any suggestion that physical violence was used. His statement is below.
Esteban Ocon will not race in the Mexico City Grand Prix. Haas announced on Saturday morning that reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa replaces the Frenchman for the rest of the weekend, from final practice onwards, and gave no reason. For the 32-year-old Japanese driver it will be his Formula 1 race debut.
Session times for qualifying and the race: Mexico City Grand Prix 2026 start times.
“No further statements will be made at this time”
The team’s statement, as published by formula1.com, was short. “TGR Haas F1 Team reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix,” it read. Hirakawa “will partner team mate Ollie Bearman through final practice and Qualifying,” and the statement ended: “No further statements will be made at this time.”
A Haas spokesperson told ESPN that the change was “not due to illness”, but would not say more. It is also not clear whether the switch goes beyond this weekend.
Ocon: a discussion, but no violence
On Saturday, after qualifying, Ocon responded on X. “Last night, a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with the parties involved,” he wrote. “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.”
He did not say who else was involved. He asked “that speculation be avoided while the matter is being addressed” and said further updates would follow.
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…
— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) October 31, 2026
Haas has not responded to the statement. Team principal Ayao Komatsu told Sky Sports F1 during final practice on Saturday: “I can’t tell you much, but at least I can tell you that he’s not ill.”
On the track there was no obvious sign of trouble. Ocon drove the second practice session on Friday and finished 13th, 0.075 seconds ahead of Bearman in 14th, according to the official classification. In the drivers’ championship he is 16th with 7 points, Bearman 13th with 23.
From Friday stand-in to Sunday starter
Hirakawa already knows the car and the circuit. He drove Ocon’s Haas in first practice on Friday, one of ten rookie stand-ins in Mexico City, and finished 15th, 1.854 seconds off Charles Leclerc’s best time (FP1 results). It was his third practice outing of the season in the VF-26. He has been Haas reserve since 2025, through the team’s technical partnership with Toyota.
Before Formula 1 he made his name in endurance racing with Toyota, where he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022.
Ocon was leaving Haas anyway
For Ocon the end at Haas was already in sight. The team confirmed earlier this month that he leaves at the end of the season, with Ferrari junior Rafael Câmara taking his seat in 2027 (Ocon leaves Haas, Câmara in for 2027). His full career: Esteban Ocon profile.
Our read
A healthy driver who was quicker than his team-mate on Friday does not normally lose his seat overnight, and a team that refuses to explain itself invites speculation. We will not add to it: until Haas explains its decision, the only facts are the ones above. What is clear is that Hirakawa has earned this chance. He has done the Friday work all year and he knows the car.
Hirakawa starts 18th, the race at 14:00 local
Hirakawa qualified 18th and starts from that position, four places behind team-mate Bearman in 14th, according to the official starting grid. The race starts on Sunday 1 November at 14:00 local, 20:00 UK, 21:00 CET and 15:00 ET. Results will be on our Mexico City Grand Prix 2026 results page.
Sources: TGR Haas F1 Team statement via formula1.com (31 October 2026); ESPN for the Haas spokesperson’s comment; formula1.com classification of second practice and the 2026 drivers’ standings; Esteban Ocon on X (31 October 2026); Ayao Komatsu to Sky Sports F1.
Should Haas explain why Ocon is out, or is this simply the team’s call to make? Tell us in the comments.
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