Haas benches Ocon for rest of Mexico GP, Hirakawa set for F1 debut

Haas has benched Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix, replacing him with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa in a surprise Saturday morning announcement. The team gave no reason but confirmed Ocon is not ill, making an internal or performance-related decision the obvious conclusion.

Why it matters:

Ocon’s Haas tenure was already ending. The team announced in September that Ferrari junior Rafael Camara will replace him in 2027. This mid-weekend swap accelerates the split and gives Hirakawa, Toyota’s long-time F1 hopeful, an unexpected debut.

The details:

• Hirakawa finished 15th in FP1, his third practice outing in the VF-26 this season.
• He will partner Ollie Bearman in FP3, qualifying and Sunday’s 71-lap race.
• Ocon was frustrated in FP2, his only session, over a run-plan change and clashed with engineer Laura Mueller on radio.
• He kept his helmet on while returning to Haas hospitality, visibly unhappy.
• Hirakawa, a two-time WEC champion and Le Mans winner, becomes F1’s oldest debutant since Andre Lotterer in 2014.

What’s next:

Haas declined to comment on its Brazil line-up. For now, Hirakawa has a live audition while Ocon’s shortened Haas stay reaches an awkward end.