Intrigue at Haas: Esteban Ocon Sidelined for Mexico City GP Weekend
Hirakawa takes over Ocon’s car
Haas announced hours before qualifying that Ocon would not drive for the remainder of the Mexico City weekend. Reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa was assigned the car for qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Hirakawa drove in FP1 on Friday, his third practice outing of the 2026 season. The weekend will now mark his F1 debut.
Ocon’s Haas future in question
Haas previously confirmed that Ocon’s time with the team would end after the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Rafael Câmara set to take his seat next season. The team offered no further explanation for the Mexico City change, adding to questions about Ocon’s future.
In Austin, Ocon said he believed he deserved a place in Formula 1 next season and that his departure was not due to performance. Haas is seventh in the Constructors’ Championship with 30 points, 39 behind sixth-place Alpine.
Possible explanations remain uncertain
An illness-related absence is one possibility. Kimi Antonelli and Sergio Pérez had missed portions of the week because of illness and fatigue, but Haas did not say that Ocon was unwell.
Paddock reporter Adam Cooper noted a disagreement between Ocon and the team over tire use during Friday’s FP2. Ocon later denied social media reports that he had a physical altercation with team principal Ayao Komatsu after the session.
Câmara could be next in line
A move to Câmara before the 2026 season ends remains a possibility, though Haas has not announced such a change. It could give the Brazilian a chance to debut at next weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix.
Câmara leads the F2 Drivers’ Championship with 207 points, seven ahead of Nikola Tsolov. F2 is not scheduled to race again until Qatar and Abu Dhabi, if those events take place.
Key points
- Ryō Hirakawa will replace Ocon in qualifying and Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Haas has not given a reason for Ocon’s weekend withdrawal.
- Ocon denied reports of a physical altercation with Ayao Komatsu.
- Rafael Câmara is scheduled to take Ocon’s Haas seat next season.