Haas Replaces Esteban Ocon With Ryo Hirakawa for Mexico City Grand Prix

Haas announced on October 31 that reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa would replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. The 32-year-old Japanese driver will partner Ollie Bearman for Saturday's final practice and qualifying, followed by Sunday's 71-lap race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. It will be Hirakawa's Formula 1 race debut. The team gave no reason for the change, saying: “No further statements will be made at this time.” Its announcement covers October 31 through November 1. Haas identified Hirakawa as the 2022 and 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship winner and a winner of the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours with Toyota Gazoo Racing. Hirakawa had already driven in Friday's opening practice in Mexico City, his third practice appearance of the season in the VF-26 after Austria and Hungary. He completed 30 laps, finishing 15th with a best time of 1:19.982 on medium tyres. Ocon returned for the second session and placed 13th, ahead of Bearman in 14th. In the team's Friday recap, before the replacement announcement, Ocon said: “Ryō did a good job and collected some valuable data.” On September 30, Haas announced that Ocon would leave the team at the conclusion of the 2026 championship. He joined Haas for the 2025 season. Saturday's statement did not link the earlier departure announcement to the immediate driver change.