F1: Haas Bring in Ryo Hirakawa for Esteban Ocon for Mexico City Grand Prix
Haas said the move follows an internal dispute and confirmed Brazilian Formula 2 leader Rafael Câmara will make his Formula One debut for the team.
- On Saturday, October 31, 2026, Haas replaced veteran driver Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix, confirming the move was not due to illness.
- Tensions surfaced on Friday when Ocon clashed with race engineer Laura Mueller over tyre strategy; Mueller stated, "We have to do the medium," while Ocon replied, "No, no, I wanted the soft, don't do that to me."
- French publication L'Equipe reported a "possible physical altercation" between Ocon and team principal Ayao Komatsu on Friday evening; Ocon "categorically rejected any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve" their differences.
- Ryo Hirakawa, a 32-year-old two-time World Endurance Champion with Toyota, stepped into the VF-26 for his Formula 1 debut, while Komatsu stated, "The only thing I can say is we are focused on what's in front of us."
- Ocon is scheduled to leave Haas at the end of 2026, with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara confirmed for 2027, though the team has not indicated who will drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
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The adventure of Esteban Ocon with the Haas ended earlier than expected: the Formula 1 team announced the exclusion of the French driver for the last four GPs of the season, after having already appied it on the occasion of the world stage of Mexico City, in the middle of the free practice. The TGR Haas F1 Team [...] The article Mystery Ocon: the Haas hunts him with immediate effect. "Decisions so they are not taken lightly" . Ipotesi fight with…
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The Haas team has officially announced that it is ending its cooperation with Esteban Ocon. The news comes just a few days after the French driver was removed from the lineup for the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he was replaced by the Japanese Rio Hirakawa. The American team also announced another important news – Brazilian Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut this weekend. The young racer will get the opportunity to participate in his h…
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