Haas drops Ocon in shock Mexico GP driver switch

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The Haas F1 team has made an extaordinary late change to its driver line-up, dropping Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend and handing his VF-26 to reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.

The unexpected decision means the Japanese driver will make his Formula 1 race debut at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, partnering Oliver Bearman for Saturday's final practice session, qualifying and Sunday's 71-lap race.

Even more intriguing is the complete absence of an explanation from Haas. The team confirmed the switch in a brief statement but declined to elaborate on the circumstances behind Ocon's sudden removal, adding only that the decision was not related to illness.

The announcement has inevitably raised eyebrows, particularly given that Ocon had completed Friday's second practice session and appeared set to continue through the remainder of the Mexican weekend.

Haas drops Ocon in extraordinary late switch

Hirakawa had already driven Ocon's VF-26 during Friday morning's opening practice, fulfilling one of the team's mandatory rookie running requirements. He finished 15th after completing his third FP1 appearance of the season.

The 32-year-old was therefore not entirely unfamiliar with the machinery, but the prospect of being thrown into a Grand Prix weekend at such short notice, with qualifying and a race debut immediately ahead, represents an entirely different challenge.

Haas confirmed the dramatic development in a short statement:

“Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix,” the team said.

“Ryo participated in FP1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Friday, his third free practice outing of the season driving the VF-26, finishing 15th overall.

“The Japanese driver will partner team-mate Ollie Bearman through final practice and qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s 71-lap grand prix – marking Ryo's Formula 1 race debut.

“No further statements will be made at this time."

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The team subsequently added a brief clarification when pressed for an explanation:

"No comment beyond the statement other than to confirm it’s not due to illness."

That was as far as Haas was prepared to go, leaving the circumstances surrounding Ocon's departure from the weekend unexplained.

Hirakawa gets unexpected F1 breakthrough

For Hirakawa, the unexpected promotion represents the culmination of a long career spent building his reputation outside Formula 1.

The Japanese driver made his name in domestic competition, winning the 2017 Super GT championship before establishing himself as one of the leading endurance racers in the World Endurance Championship.

His partnership with Toyota proved particularly successful, yielding two WEC titles and victory at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.

Toyota's technical partnership with Haas subsequently opened the door to his involvement with the American outfit, with Hirakawa joining as its reserve driver in 2025.

He has since accumulated seven FP1 appearances and had even been considered a potential candidate for a full-time F1 opportunity in 2027, before Haas opted for Rafael Camara.

His sudden elevation in Mexico, however, gives him something far more immediate: an opportunity to compete in a Grand Prix for the first time.

For Ocon, meanwhile, the abrupt development carries uncomfortable echoes of his departure from Alpine at the end of 2024, when the Frenchman was replaced by Jack Doohan for the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The 30-year-old, who joined Haas in 2025, has endured a difficult spell alongside Bearman and will leave the team at the end of the season, with a potential reserve role at Aston Martin in 2027 understood to be on the horizon.

But whatever the longer-term implications, Haas has delivered one of the most unexpected developments of the Mexico weekend. And until the team offers a fuller explanation, the circumstances behind Ocon's extraordinary removal will remain an unanswered question.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.