2026 Mexico GP: Hirakawa scores on reported Haas call

Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans reported that Ryo Hirakawa replaced Esteban Ocon at Haas in Mexico and later reached the points after penalties.

Autosport and Motorsport.com reported that Haas replaced Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the rest of the 2026 Mexico Grand Prix weekend, with Hirakawa taking part in final practice, qualifying and the race. The change was not confirmed in the supplied material, and no reason for it was established there. Hirakawa arrived in Mexico 23rd in the drivers' championship on 0 points, while Ocon was 16th on 7.

Those same outlets later reported that post-race penalties for Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto moved Hirakawa into the points on his Formula 1 debut. RaceFans reported that Hirakawa had originally finished 13th before the revised classification promoted him.

Ocon went into the event with 189 Formula 1 starts, one win and four podiums across his career. For Hirakawa, the reported promotion turned a debut weekend into his first points finish in the series.