Haas announced on Saturday that Ryo Hirakawa would replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexican Grand Prix. The decision came just hours before the third practice session. Ocon, who is set to leave Haas at the end of the 2026 season, had been scheduled to compete in the race.
Ocon had participated in the first free practice session on Friday. He was replaced by Hirakawa, the team’s reserve driver, for the rest of the weekend. The move was made without prior explanation. Haas provided no official reason for the change, stating only that Ocon was not unwell.
This marks the first Formula 1 race for Hirakawa, 32, who will drive for Haas on Sunday. Ocon, 31, is expected to join Aston Martin as a reserve driver. The change has raised questions among fans and analysts, as it was made without notice and without a clear justification.
Ocon had already faced challenges this season, including a difficult run of form and a recent injury. His departure from Haas was already confirmed. The sudden replacement adds to the uncertainty surrounding his future in the sport.
This is the second time this season that Haas has made a last-minute change to its lineup. The team has not commented further on the decision, leaving many to speculate about the reasons behind the move. The race in Mexico will now see Hirakawa take to the track in place of Ocon, marking a significant shift in the weekend’s schedule.
