Ryo Hirakawa replaced Esteban Ocon hours before qualifying and will start his first Grand Prix from 19th.
Ryo Hirakawa will take Esteban Ocon's seat at Haas for the Mexico City Grand Prix, the team confirmed on Saturday morning. The Japanese driver qualified 19th and will make his first Formula 1 start on Sunday. The team offered no further comment on the reasons for the switch.
Ryo Hirakawa will start his first Formula 1 Grand Prix in Mexico City after Haas called him up hours before Saturday's qualifying to replace Esteban Ocon. He qualified 19th.
The team confirmed the change on Saturday morning and offered no further comment on the reasons for the switch. Hirakawa had already taken part in Free Practice 1 on Friday as the team's reserve driver, under the regulations that oblige each full-time racer to give up a car to a rookie twice a year. It was his ninth appearance in an FP1 session, after earlier running for Haas, Alpine and McLaren since 2024. He also drove in FP3.
Hirakawa's reaction
The 32-year-old described the opportunity as a "dream come true". He called the morning a big surprise but said he is always ready as reserve driver, and thanked the team for helping him prepare in the space of about 12 hours.
His aim in qualifying was to get through Q1. He said traffic on his final push lap cost him, and that he now needs to focus on the race.
What we know so far
- Hirakawa starts the Mexico City Grand Prix from P19 on Sunday.
- He drives for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship, is a two-time champion in the category and won the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours.
- He is also in contention to win the WEC title next weekend at Monza.
- Who will race for Haas in Brazil next weekend has yet to be confirmed.
Hirakawa said he does not know whether this will be his only F1 outing.
