Haas F1 announced a last‑minute driver change for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Esteban Ocon will not take part in the remainder of the weekend’s sessions, and reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa will drive the car in qualifying and the race on Sunday.
Background on Ocon’s status
Earlier this season the team confirmed that Ocon’s contract would end after the 2026 season, with Brazilian rookie Rafael Câmara slated to replace him for 2027. The announcement came amid speculation about Ocon’s future, especially after he told media in Austin that he believes he deserves to remain in Formula One.
“As I said, I deserve to be here in Formula One. There are many circumstances why I’m not here next year, but they are not performance reasons,” Ocon said in Austin. “I’ve won everything that I’ve in every category I’ve done in go‑kart, in Formula Renault, in Formula 3, in GP3, in F1. In all these categories I’ve won races, so just, you know, thinking of a sports perspective, I deserve to be in F1. Yeah, I believe that this is not my last year.”
Haas cites no illness, but speculation remains
The team has not confirmed an illness as the reason for Ocon’s absence, though recent driver illnesses – such as Kimi Antonelli and Sergio Pérez missing sessions – have fueled speculation. Some observers suggest the grueling schedule may be affecting Ocon.
Team insider Adam Cooper noted a disagreement between Ocon and his engineer, Laura Müller, over tire usage during Friday’s FP2 session. A brief clip of the exchange was shared, indicating tension within the garage.
Ryō Hirakawa’s debut
Ryō Hirakawa, who already completed a free‑practice 1 run on Friday, will make his Formula One race debut in Mexico City. This will be his first appearance in a Grand Prix weekend beyond practice, giving him a chance to showcase his talent on a world stage.
Implications for the team
Haas currently sits seventh in the Constructors’ Championship with 30 points, 39 points behind sixth‑place Alpine. The driver change does not appear to be performance‑related, according to the team, but it does underscore the uncertainty surrounding Ocon’s final season.
If the team proceeds with its plan to bring in Rafael Câmara for 2027, the Brazilian could potentially debut at his home race in São Paulo next weekend, depending on contractual timing and F2 calendar constraints.
Looking ahead
Ocon’s future in Formula One remains uncertain, and the team’s decision to replace him for the remainder of the weekend adds another layer to the ongoing discussion. Fans will watch closely to see how Hirakawa performs and whether the move influences Haas’s strategy for the final races of the season.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
