A short statement released by the Haas F1 team confirms that Ryo Hirakawa, the team’s nominated reserve driver, will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the racing weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix, including taking to the grid for Sunday’s race.
Hirakawa is a two-time FIA WEC Drivers’ World Champion, 2022 Le Mans winner and current points leader going into the WEC Championship decider next weekend at Monza
This will then be Ryo’s F1 Grand Prix Debut.
No reason has been given for the team replacing Ocon.
The team statement reads as follows:
TGR Haas F1 Team reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the 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 teammate Ollie Bearman through final practice and qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s 71-lap grand prix, marking Ryo’s Formula 1 race debut.
No further statements will be made at this time.
Hirakawa recently lost out to Rafael Camara in a four-way driver shootout for the second Haas F1 seat alongside Oliver Bearman for the 2027 season. Leonardo Fornaroli, recently confirmed with a 2027 Hypercar seat with McLaren, and Jack Doohan also tested.
At 32 years, 7 months, and 25 days old on tomorrow’s race day, Hirakawa will become the second-oldest F1 rookie this century after Andre Lotterer at Spa in 2014 (Lotterer was 32 years and 9 months old).
