Haas Benches Ocon for Mexico City GP, Hands Car to Hirakawa Without Explanation

Esteban Ocon has been dropped by Haas for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix and replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, with the team offering no explanation. Ocon ran Friday practice as normal before the switch was confirmed on Saturday morning; a Haas spokesperson told ESPN the decision was not illness-related.

Why it matters:

Ocon already knew 2026 was his last season with Haas — Ferrari junior Rafa Camara is signed for next year — but being stood down mid-weekend is a far blunter exit. It raises the possibility that the Frenchman has already driven his last grand prix.

The details:

• Hirakawa, 32, takes the car for qualifying and the race. Haas declined to say whether the change extends beyond Mexico.
• The Japanese driver is at Haas through its technical partnership with Toyota, making this an unexpected live audition for him.
• Ocon joined from Alpine at the start of 2025 but has been out-performed by Oliver Bearman across their two seasons together.
• Lewis Hamilton, who knew Ocon from Mercedes' junior programme, offered public support: "It's sad to see him leave, because I think he's a very talented driver, and I think he deserves to be here."
• Ocon has nothing confirmed for 2027 and has stressed he wants to stay in F1 in some capacity.

What's next:

Brazil is the test. If Hirakawa keeps the seat at Interlagos, Haas owes an explanation it has so far refused to give — and Ocon's future gets harder to read with every race he sits out.