Ryo Hirakawa to Make His F1 Debut at the Mexican Grand Prix

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Ryo Hirakawa to Make His F1 Debut at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Immediately at the Mexican Grand Prix, Ryo Hirakawa gets his big F1 moment: the 23-year-old will drive for Haas and replace Esteban Ocon. The Japanese driver will therefore not only make his first Formula 1 race start but also take over a race seat directly.

For motorsport fans, this is a rare change of driver shortly before a Grand Prix. BBC Sport has confirmed Hirakawa’s deployment for Haas in Mexico City.

The Japanese Driver Takes Over at Haas

Until now, Hirakawa has been Haas’s reserve driver, according to The Athletic. His appearance at the Mexican weekend is therefore also his first race in Formula 1.

Franceinfo reports that Ocon is stepping out of the cockpit for the rest of the Mexican weekend following a difficult season in which he scored seven points. The Athletic speaks more generally of Hirakawa’s debut “this weekend.”

Not a Permanent Change for Ocon

The reports explicitly describe a temporary substitute for the race in Mexico City. The three sources do not name a permanent personnel decision. What is clear is that Haas is fielding Hirakawa for the current Grand Prix, while Ocon will initially disappear from the weekend’s driver lineup.

This gives the former reserve driver the chance to make the big career step shortly before the home Grand Prix of his own country. A race seat, a debut and a few days to prepare — nothing else is certain for Hirakawa.

As of: 31 October 2026, further details to follow.