Ahead of FP3, Haas F1 Team has confirmed that Ryō Hirakawa will take the seat of Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the 2026 Mexico City GP weekend.
The 32-year-old Japanese driver will make his qualifying and race debut across today and tomorrow. He has had multiple FP1 outings with Alpine and Haas previously, including yesterday with the American owned team.
Ryō Hirakawa has had a very successful career in sports car racing. He is a two-time World champion in the WEC. The Haas driver also won Le Mans in 2022 alongside Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley.
Just over two weeks ago, Haas confirmed that Rafael Câmara will be replacing Esteban Ocon for the 2027 F1 season. Now, the Frenchman is set to depart the team five rounds earlier than expected as there is no suggestion he is unwell or unfit to race.
In his 43 races with Haas, the 30-year-old French driver has scored 45 points for the team. His best result came in China last year, bagging a superb 5th place following the DSQs of the Ferraris.
Haas F1 statement on Ryō Hirakawa taking Esteban Ocon’s drive for the rest of the 2026 F1 Mexico City GP
“TGR Haas F1 Team reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, Saturday 31 October – Sunday 1 November.
“Hirakawa (32), a two-time winner of the FIA World Endurance Championship (2022, 2023) and 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner (2022) with Toyota GAZOO Racing, participated in FP1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Friday 30 October – his third free practice outing of the season driving the VF-26, finishing 15th overall.The Japanese driver will partner teammate Ollie Bearman through final practice and qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s 71-lap grand prix – Hirakawa’s Formula 1 race debut.
“No further statements will be made at this time.”
