Haas announces Ryo Hirakawa's F1 debut in Mexico, replacing Esteban Ocon
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 31, 2026, 3:23 PM
Last updated Oct 31, 2026
Haas has confirmed that Ryo Hirakawa will make his Formula 1 debut at the Mexican Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon. This announcement was made abruptly on Saturday, just before third practice and qualifying. Hirakawa had participated in first practice on Friday, where he ranked 15th. The team did not provide explanations for the change and stated that no further comments would be issued at this time. Hirakawa will race alongside Oliver Bearman.
- •Ryo Hirakawa replaces Esteban Ocon for the Mexican Grand Prix.
- •Hirakawa previously drove in first practice for Haas.
- •No explanation was provided for Ocon's replacement.
- •Hirakawa was 15th-fastest during first practice.
- 4:17 PMESPN F1 — Haas drop Ocon without explanation for Mexico GP
- 3:33 PMYahoo Sports — Ocon unexpectedly replaced at Haas for the rest of Mexican GP weekend
- 3:07 PMYahoo Sports — Hirakawa replaces Ocon for Mexico City Grand Prix
- 3:05 PMBBC Sport — Hirakawa replaces Ocon for Mexico City Grand Prix
- 2:56 PMYahoo Sports — Haas hands Hirakawa F1 debut in Mexico in place of Ocon in sudden, unexplained change
"MEXICO CITY (AP) — Haas is giving Ryo Hirakawa a Formula 1 race debut in Mexico on Sunday after announcing abruptly Saturday that he would replace veteran Esteban Ocon.In a rare change part-way through an F1 weekend, Hirakawa will step in for Ocon for third practice and qualifying on Saturday and the race, as teammate to Oliver Bearman.
"Esteban Ocon was replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the rest of the Formula One Mexican Grand Prix weekend in an unexpected move by his Haas team. The announcement came in a statement on Saturday, ahead of third practice and qualifying later.
"Esteban Ocon has been suddenly replaced, without explanation, by Haas with Ryo Hirakawa for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Oct 31, 2026, 4:17 PMHaas drop Ocon without explanation for Mexico GP
Esteban Ocon has been suddenly replaced, without explanation, by Haas with Ryo Hirakawa for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Yahoo SportsOct 31, 2026, 3:33 PMOcon unexpectedly replaced at Haas for the rest of Mexican GP weekend
Esteban Ocon was replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the rest of the Formula One Mexican Grand Prix weekend in an unexpected move by his Haas team. The announcement came in a statement on Saturday, ahead of third practice and qualifying later.
- Yahoo SportsOct 31, 2026, 3:07 PMHirakawa replaces Ocon for Mexico City Grand Prix
Ryo Hirakawa will race for Haas at the Mexico City Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon.
- BBC SportOct 31, 2026, 3:05 PMHirakawa replaces Ocon for Mexico City Grand Prix
Ryo Hirakawa will race for Haas at the Mexico City Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon.
- Yahoo SportsOct 31, 2026, 2:56 PMHaas hands Hirakawa F1 debut in Mexico in place of Ocon in sudden, unexplained change
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Haas is giving Ryo Hirakawa a Formula 1 race debut in Mexico on Sunday after announcing abruptly Saturday that he would replace veteran Esteban Ocon.In a rare change part-way through an F1 weekend, Hirakawa will step in for Ocon for third practice and qualifying on Saturday and the race, as teammate to Oliver Bearman.
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