Haas Hands 32-Year-Old Hirakawa His F1 Race Debut

Haas has made a late change with a rare milestone attached: 32-year-old reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will start his first Formula 1 race in Mexico. The team confirmed he would take Esteban Ocon’s car for the rest of the weekend, including Sunday’s 71-lap Grand Prix. Ocon had driven in Friday practice, then disappeared from the lineup without an explanation from Haas. ^3,5

That car had already carried Hirakawa in Friday’s first practice, where he finished 15th. Ocon returned for the second session and finished 13th, but Haas announced the switch before Saturday’s final practice and qualifying. The team said Hirakawa would race alongside Ollie Bearman and would make no further statements. The FIA approved the change, requiring Hirakawa to use the engine and tyres assigned to Ocon’s car. ^3,5,7

The engine and tyres stay with the car, but the reason Ocon lost his seat remains unclear. Haas has said the change is not because of illness, while reports describe a tense Friday and a disagreement over tyre choices. One outlet reports that Ocon’s removal was punishment, but Haas has not confirmed that account. What is clear is that Ocon was already due to leave at the end of 2026, with Brazilian driver Rafael Câmara named as his replacement for next season. ^4,5,14

That planned departure now comes with an unexpected early break. Hirakawa, a Toyota endurance racer and two-time World Endurance Championship winner, also won Le Mans in 2022. His F1 debut comes at an age rarely seen for a first-time starter: the last similar debut cited was André Lotterer’s one-time 2014 race, when he was 33. Hirakawa is due to take part in Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race; Haas has yet to explain Ocon’s removal. ^1,3,6