Haas Names Ryo Hirakawa as Esteban Ocon’s Replacement for Mexico City Grand Prix

In a swift move announced on Thursday, the Haas F1 Team confirmed that Japanese rookie Ryo Hirakawa would replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. The decision came after Ocon suffered a shoulder injury during Friday’s practice session, prompting the team to seek a quick replacement to keep the car on track for the race and the sprint qualifying event.

Per the official statement on Formula1.com, Hirakawa will take part in the sprint qualifying session, the sprint race, and the main Grand Prix. The 20‑year‑old, who has been competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, will be making his first appearance in a Formula 1 car in Mexico. Haas, which has been searching for a long‑term solution to Ocon’s injury, said the move was made “in the best interests of the team and the driver” and that Hirakawa would be fully prepared to step into the car on short notice.

While the announcement was clear, the team did not provide a detailed explanation for Ocon’s injury or the exact nature of the shoulder problem. Sky Sports F1 reported that Ocon was “severely hurt” after a collision with the barrier during the first practice session, and that the team had to act quickly to avoid a potential weekend‑long absence. Formula 1’s coverage echoed the same facts, noting that the replacement was a last‑minute decision aimed at keeping the team’s race weekend intact.

For Indian fans, the Mexico City Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode from 12:00 PM IST, with the sprint qualifying starting at 7:00 PM IST and the main race at 9:00 PM IST. Ryo Hirakawa’s debut will add an extra layer of excitement for viewers, as the young driver’s performance could influence Haas’s points haul and the broader championship dynamics. Keep an eye on the live commentary for any updates on Ocon’s recovery status and how Hirakawa adapts to the car’s handling characteristics.

Source: Formula1.com