Esteban Ocon immediately replaced by Haas for Mexico GP with driver set to make F1 debut

Esteban Ocon has been replaced by Haas just hours before qualifying at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Ryo Hirakawa stepping in to make his Formula 1 debut.

The Frenchman completed both practice sessions without incident on Friday in Mexico City, but now finds himself without a race seat for the remainder of the weekend.

Japanese driver Hirakawa, who competed in free practice one for Haas, will replace Ocon and partner Oliver Bearman. Haas had already confirmed that Ocon would not be driving for the team in 2027, with Rafael Camara signed as his replacement from the beginning of next season.

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Haas issue statement on Esteban Ocon

In a statement, Haas wrote: "TGR Haas F1 Team reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of this weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix.

"Ryo participated in FP1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Friday, his third free practice outing of the season driving the VF-26, finishing 15th overall.

"The Japanese driver will partner team-mate Ollie Bearman through final practice and qualifying on Saturday and Sunday's 71-lap Grand Prix, marking Ryo's Formula 1 debut.

"No further statements will be made at this time."

Ocon had a disagreement with Haas over team radio during FP2 over his planned soft tyre run, with the team instead switching him to mediums. It is as yet unclear as to what has prompted Haas' decision to replace him, or whether that disagreement is in any way linked.

Who is Ryo Hirakawa?

Ryo Hirakawa is one of Japan's most successful racing drivers, having won the World Endurance Championship in 2022 and 2023.

The 32-year-old, who drives for Toyota Gazoo Racing in WEC, was previously part of McLaren's driver academy but has been given free practice opportunities with Haas following their technical partnership with Toyota.

Ryo Hirakawa will drive for Haas at the Mexico GP (Image: Getty)

Hirakawa has made a significant impression on team bosses, though his chances of a full-time F1 seat looked to have faded after Haas chose to replace Ocon with Ferrari junior driver Rafael Camara for the 2027 season onwards.

But he will now get at least one unexpected chance to compete for the American team in a Grand Prix proper.

And he will have confidence in the car when he steps into it for FP3; the Japanese driver said after his Friday practice outing that he felt the team's pace had improved since he last drove the car in Hungary.

"It was really nice to feel the car has been improved since I last drove it in Budapest, so really happy to see that," he told F1TV prior to the Ocon announcement. "Of course this track is quite challenging for the cars, but still I feel a big step in terms of performance. So a hats off to the team.

"The main target was to do a proper long run. There was a bit of a yellow flag in between, but I managed to do a clean long run. I managed to do it with the C4 [medium] tyre, so everything went smoothly."

On what his future held with the team, he admitted: "At the moment, I just try to do what I can do. I'm really appreciative to the team - I had some bad news from my side [not getting the seat for 2027], but they have trust in me and gave me the car for FP1, so I really appreciate that. Hopefully more to come in the future."

His next run in the Haas car will be slightly earlier than Hirakawa would have anticipated.