Hirakawa replaces Ocon at Haas: what is confirmed for Mexico
Haas named reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa to replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, alongside Ollie Bearman.
The confirmed change
Ryo Hirakawa was named to replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, according to Formula 1’s official report of Haas’s announcement on 31 October. The change covers final practice, qualifying and Sunday’s race, with Hirakawa partnering Ollie Bearman.
Experience beyond an F1 race start
The 32-year-old has served as a Haas reserve since 2025. His background includes the 2022 Le Mans victory and World Endurance Championship titles in 2022 and 2023. Haas described the planned Mexico appearance as his Formula 1 race debut.
How to assess the opportunity
Our reading is that a late replacement’s first weekend should be assessed through adaptation and execution as well as the finishing position. Familiarity from practice and reserve work can help, but it does not establish how a first Grand Prix will unfold. This explainer concerns the confirmed driver change; race positions and the final classification require a separate current result.
Sources & further reading
Reporting supports the facts; the interpretation is our editorial view. Published 01 Nov 2026. Updated 01 Nov 2026, 22:25 CAT.
- Official report of Haas driver-change announcement ↗Formula 1; announcement published 31 October 2026