Ryo Hirakawa steps in for Esteban Ocon at Haas for the Mexico City Grand Prix

Japanese racer Ryo Hirakawa has been confirmed as Esteban Ocon's replacement for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, according to BBC Sport. The move sees Haas field a completely new driver line‑up for the high‑altitude circuit in Mexico City, with Hirakawa taking over Ocon’s seat for qualifying and the race itself.

Haas announced the change on Thursday, citing "unforeseen circumstances" that prevented Ocon from participating. While the team did not disclose the exact reason, the swift substitution underscores Haas's need to maintain a full grid for the event. Hirakawa, who has been a test and reserve driver for Haas, brings valuable experience from his stints in Super GT and the FIA World Endurance Championship, though he has yet to make his Formula 1 race debut.

The Japanese driver will be stepping into a car that has struggled this season, currently sitting near the back of the Constructors' standings. Nevertheless, the opportunity provides Hirakawa with a rare chance to showcase his talent on Formula 1 machinery and could offer Haas fresh data ahead of the final races of the season. Motorsport Week highlighted that the replacement will apply for the rest of the weekend, meaning Hirakawa will also take part in the final practice session before qualifying.

For Indian fans, the Mexico City Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode, with the race scheduled to start at 02:00 IST on Sunday. Hirakawa’s debut will be a talking point for the pre‑race coverage, and Indian viewers can expect expert analysis on how the driver swap might affect Haas’s performance in the high‑altitude conditions that often challenge aerodynamics and engine cooling.

Both outlets confirm the driver change, making it a solid, verifiable news item for our readers.

Source: BBC Sport