Ryo Hirakawa to replace Esteban Ocon for remainder of Mexico City Grand Prix weekend with Haas

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Haas has confirmed that reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. The team’s statement specifies the change will cover Saturday, 31 October, through Sunday, 1 November, meaning Hirakawa will assume the driving role for Haas through the final stages of the race program.

Haas said Hirakawa, who has served as a reserve driver for the squad since 2025, participated in Free Practice 1 on Friday, 30 October, at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Ocon returned to action during the day’s second practice hour after Hirakawa completed FP1 in the VF-26, with Haas reporting Hirakawa finished 15th overall in the session.

The team further announced that Hirakawa will partner Haas teammate Ollie Bearman through the remainder of the on-track schedule on Saturday and Sunday. That includes the final practice sessions and qualifying ahead of the 71-lap Grand Prix on Sunday, which will mark Hirakawa’s Formula 1 race debut.

Haas also detailed Hirakawa’s record outside Formula 1, highlighting his two FIA World Endurance Championship titles (2022 and 2023) and a 24 Hours of Le Mans win (2022) with Toyota GAZOO Racing. The announcement does not provide a reason for Ocon’s replacement, and Haas stated that no further statements would be made at that time.

With the swap confirmed for the Mexico City weekend, the key immediate impact is that Haas will run a new driver line-up for the session that determines the grid, with Hirakawa stepping in for qualifying and the final practice period. The team’s call also means Ocon’s involvement will end after Friday’s running, while Bearman will remain in the car alongside the reserve driver through the rest of the event.