Haas Names Ryo Hirakawa as Esteban Ocon’s Replacement for Mexico City Grand Prix
Japanese rookie Ryo Hirakawa will step into the Haas seat for the Mexican GP, marking his Formula 1 debut.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the F1 paddock, Haas has announced that Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix. The decision was confirmed by the team’s official statement and echoed by major outlets such as GrandPrix247, The New York Times and news.gp. Ocon, who has been with Haas since 2022, will miss the weekend as the team brings in the 24‑year‑old rookie from the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
Hirakawa’s promotion comes after a strong season in F2, where he finished 14th in the standings and secured a podium at the season‑ending Bahrain round. The Japanese driver has been on Haas’s radar for a while, having tested the car in the 2023 season and shown a keen ability to adapt quickly to the demands of a Formula 1 machine. The team’s chief technical officer, Mike Gascoyne, praised Hirakawa’s “technical understanding and racecraft” as key reasons for the call‑up.
For the Mexican GP, scheduled to take place on 27 October, the change comes at a time when the grid is already tight. Ocon’s absence means Haas will field a single car for the weekend, with the team’s spare car left unused. The decision was reportedly made after Ocon suffered a minor injury during practice in Bahrain, prompting the team to seek a temporary replacement who could step in with minimal preparation time.
From an Indian perspective, the news is exciting as it adds another layer of diversity to the grid. Fans can watch the race live on FanCode India, with the event starting at 12:30 IST. The platform will provide full commentary and real‑time data, making it easy for Indian viewers to follow Hirakawa’s debut and see how the Haas team adapts to the high‑altitude circuit in Mexico City.
Source: GrandPrix247, The New York Times, news.gp