Haas replaces Ocon with Hirakawa in Mexico

Haas said Esteban Ocon would not drive for the team for the rest of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will take his place. Haas gave no reason for the change. Ocon had taken part in earlier sessions and had expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s tyre strategy during practice.

The switch changed the car’s entry number from 31 to 50. The FIA approved it, subject to the replacement car passing scrutineering. Haas said it would make no further statements at this time.

Hirakawa’s race debut

Hirakawa, a two-time FIA World Endurance Championship champion and 2022 Le Mans winner, finished 15th in Friday’s opening practice. It was his third free-practice outing of the season. He will partner teammate Ollie Bearman for the final practice, qualifying and the 71-lap race.

Ocon placed 13th in the second practice session, ahead of Bearman, and the team confirmed he was not ill. A radio exchange with engineer Laura Mueller over tyre choice may have been a catalyst, one report suggested. Ocon wanted the soft tyre while the team insisted on the medium. Ocon also said there had been a “difference in viewpoints”, but Haas has given no official explanation.

Ocon is already due to leave Haas at the end of the 2026 season, with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara set to take his seat next year. Haas declined to say whether the move could be reversed later in the season.