Haas F1 has announced on Saturday that Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend. The 32-year-old Japanese driver has served as the reserve driver for the American team since 2025 and will make his F1 debut on Sunday.
Hirakawa, who hails from Hiroshima, Japan, is a veteran in the motorsports world. The driver is known mainly for his exploits in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where he won the drivers’ championship in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, he also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, adding his name to the history books of the iconic event.
Hirakawa races for Toyota Gazoo Racing in WEC, a company that is a partner with Haas in F1. He also currently leads the 2026 WEC Championship, while also serving as Haas’ reserve driver in F1. Hirakawa has also previously served as reserve driver for McLaren in 2024 and Alpine in 2025.
At the age of 32 and with two titles and a Le Mans victory behind him, Hirakawa will now make his F1 debut at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, as announced by Haas.
Haas Share No Reason as Esteban Ocon is Removed From Seat in Mexico
In its official statement announcing Hirakawa replacing Ocon, the Haas F1 team has not shared any reason why the Frenchman has been replaced by the reserve driver. The American company stated that ‘no further statement will be made at this time’ about Ocon’s removal.
“Haas reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, Saturday 31 October – Sunday 1 November,” read the statement.
“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,” it concluded.
This move now makes Hirakawa (32 years and 7 months old) the second-oldest driver to make his F1 debut in the 21st century, behind only Andre Lotterer, who was two months older when he made his debut in 2014 for Caterham.
Esteban Ocon Reportedly Out of Haas For Rest of the Year
F1 photographer and content creator Kym Illman has reported that Ocon is likely to remain on the sidelines for the remainder of the 2026 F1 season following his removal at the Mexican Grand Prix. The 30-year-old was due to leave Haas in 2027 after his contract was not renewed this year.
But Illman, who is in the Mexico GP paddock, has reported that Hirakawa will remain in the seat for the remaining five rounds of the season as Ocon’s journey with Haas has come to a premature and permanent end.
Something similar transpired for the one-time race winner at his previous F1 team, as Alpine removed him with one race remaining in 2024.
In 2027, Brazilian rookie Rafael Camara will replace Ocon, as is already confirmed. Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman has said that he expects a contract renewal to stay with the team next year.
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