Ryo Hirakawa in, Esteban Ocon out for Haas in Mexico City

Field Level Media|published: Sat 31st October, 13:51 2026

May 23, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Haas driver Esteban Ocon (31) during the qualifying session of the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Ryo Hirakawa will drive in his first Formula 1 race with Haas, subbing for Esteban Ocon for the rest of the Mexico City Grand Prix events, the team announced Saturday.

The 32-year-old Hirakawa is the reserve driver for Haas, which already has announced that Ocon will not return to the team once the 2026 season ends.

Haas did not say why the driver shift went into place for Mexico City or whether Hirakawa's promotion would last the rest of the season.

Hirakawa has won two FIA World Endurance Championships and was a 24 Hours of Le Mans winner in 2022.

Haas had considered Hirakawa for a full-time job in 2027 but instead chose Rafael Camara.

--Field Level Media

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