Esteban Ocon has been replaced by Ryo Hirakawa for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Image: XPB Images
The team announced the change ahead of Free Practice 3 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, leaving the Japanese driver to contest final practice, qualifying and Sunday’s 71-lap race alongside Oliver Bearman.
Haas offered no reason for Ocon’s withdrawal, although it subsequently confirmed his absence was not due to illness.
In a brief statement announcing the replacement, the team said no further comments would be made.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu also provided little clarity when questioned on Sky Sports F1 during FP3.
“I can’t tell you much, but at least I can tell you that he’s not in. That’s as much I can tell you,” Komatsu said.
Ocon finished 13th in FP2 on Friday, ahead of Bearman, after Hirakawa had driven his car in the opening session.
However, the Frenchman expressed frustration over team radio when race engineer Laura Mueller told him to use medium tyres rather than the soft compound he had expected.
“No, no, I wanted the soft, like, don’t do that to me. Come on,” Ocon responded.
There is no confirmation that the exchange played any part in Haas’s decision, with the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal remaining unclear.
When asked about Ocon’s frustration with Friday’s run plan, Komatsu again declined to elaborate.
“I’m sorry I can’t go into any details,” he said.
The switch hands Hirakawa his Formula 1 race debut at the age of 32, having previously participated in several practice sessions for Haas, Alpine and McLaren.
Ryo Hirakawa will make his F1 debut as Esteban Ocon’s replacement in Mexico City. Image: XPB Images
He will become the oldest driver to make his F1 debut since Andre Lotterer, who was also 32 when he raced for Caterham at the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix.
The Toyota endurance racer, a Le Mans winner and multiple World Endurance Championship title winner, finished 15th in FP1 on Friday in his third Haas practice appearance of the season.
It remains unclear whether Ocon will return for next weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, with Hirakawa unavailable due to his World Endurance Championship commitments.
That could open the door for fellow Haas reserve driver Jack Doohan to return to an F1 race seat, while Ferrari junior Rafael Camara could also be an option, having already been confirmed as Ocon’s replacement at the team for 2027.
The Brazilian, who currently leads the Formula 2 championship, is also scheduled to take part in FP1 for Ferrari at his home race.
However, Komatsu refused to look beyond Mexico when asked whether Ocon’s absence would extend into the next race weekend.
“The only thing I can say is we’re just focused on what’s right in front of us and trying to get Ryo in the best shape for quali this afternoon,” he said.
Asked specifically about Hirakawa’s scheduling clash and the availability of other drivers, Komatsu indicated the team had yet to address the situation.
“Yeah, again, honestly, I’m not there yet. So really just focusing on this session right now,” he added.
Should Doohan get the call-up for Brazil, it would not be the first time the Australian has replaced Ocon before the end of a Formula 1 season.
In 2024, Alpine handed the Australian his race debut at the Abu Dhabi finale after negotiating an early release that allowed Ocon to participate in the post-season test with Haas.