Jack Doohan set to replace Hirakawa at Haas after Ocon exit in Mexico

The abrupt removal of Esteban Ocon from the Haas Formula 1 team ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix triggered an immediate succession scramble, pitching reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa into a surprise debut and opening the door for Australian driver Jack Doohan. Haas confirmed on Saturday that Ocon would miss the rest of the race weekend without disclosing any health reasons. That terse announcement contrasted sharply with reports emerging from the paddock detailing a volatile end to the Frenchman's tenure.

According to a report from French publication L'Equipe, Ocon was dropped following a violent dispute with Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu. The meeting ended abruptly, perhaps even physically, although neither party responded to our requests for comment, the publication stated. Ocon had already been publicly unhappy since Bahrain, when Haas announced he would leave the team at the end of the season to make way for Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, declaring that he didn't deserve to be out of Formula 1. Friction spilled into public view during Friday practice when Ocon argued heatedly over team radio with his race engineer over whether to run medium or soft tyres, demanding, No, no. I want to do soft... don't do that to me, come on.

Why did Ryo Hirakawa step in so quickly?

Hirakawa, a 32-year-old Toyota factory driver and two-time FIA World Endurance Championship winner who also triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022, was rushed into the cockpit starting from the third practice session on Saturday morning. Mechanics were finishing applying stickers with the replacement driver's number at 10 a.m. as the team scrambled to adjust. His sudden promotion serves as a strategic win for Toyota, one of Haas's key sponsors, by showcasing their marquee asset on the global Formula 1 stage. Yet the arrangement is expected to be strictly temporary.

How does Jack Doohan fit into the vacancy?

Hirakawa faces an immediate scheduling conflict with the final World Endurance Championship round in Monza next weekend, a commitment tied directly to his Toyota contract. That hurdle effectively rules him out for the São Paulo Grand Prix and leaves Haas weighing its options for the remaining season-long destinations in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Jack Doohan, who began 2025 as a race driver for Alpine before losing his seat to Franco Colapinto after six rounds, has emerged as the logical successor. Doohan impressed team bosses during recent TPC testing sessions with Haas, positioning him as the favoured choice to take over the cockpit imminently.

Should Rafael Camara be fast-tracked into the seat?

The F1 community has debated whether incoming 2027 driver Rafael Camara should be accelerated into the team immediately following Ocon's departure. The Brazilian rookie is currently battling for the Formula 2 title with critical races remaining in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Insiders caution that throwing Camara into the deep end of Formula 1 prematurely could jeopardize his development and long-term prospects. Consensus therefore leans toward caution, leaving Doohan as the primary candidate to pilot the car through the final phase of the 2026 campaign.

• Esteban Ocon dropped for remainder of Mexico City GP weekend following reported altercation with Ayao Komatsu
• Ryo Hirakawa makes F1 debut in Mexico before heading to WEC commitments in Monza
• Jack Doohan tipped to take over the Haas seat starting at the São Paulo Grand Prix
• Rafael Camara protected from early F1 call-up while contesting the Formula 2 title

While the driver market churned behind the scenes, the on-track action at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez delivered its own historic drama. Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position for Ferrari by edging out Mercedes driver George Russell by nine thousandths of a second during qualifying on Saturday. The seven-time world champion clocked a lap of 1m16.514s to secure the 105th pole of his career, becoming Formula 1's oldest pole-sitter in 44 years. Thank you so much, it has been such a long time coming, Hamilton said over team radio, later adding, That felt great! That feels good! I'm so happy. I'm lost for words. It's been a really challenging weekend. Charles Leclerc placed third for Ferrari ahead of Max Verstappen in fourth, while Kimi Antonelli qualified fifth with a chance to claim the Drivers' Championship in Sunday's race.