The governing FIA officially confirmed on Saturday that 32-year-old Ryo Hirakawa will complete the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend for Haas. A team spokesman affirmed that the sudden swap was not caused by illness, though no other explanation was provided. Hirakawa, who already drove during Friday's opening practice, brings elite pedigree as a Le Mans winner and two-time world endurance champion. The move also comes as outgoing driver Esteban Ocon prepares to depart Haas at the end of the year.
Key points
Ryo Hirakawa will race alongside Britain's Ollie Bearman for the rest of the Grand Prix w…: Ryo Hirakawa will race alongside Britain's Ollie Bearman for the rest of the Grand Prix weekend.
The Japanese driver's debut aligns with the ongoing technical partnership between Haas an…: The Japanese driver's debut aligns with the ongoing technical partnership between Haas and Toyota.
Esteban Ocon is set to exit Haas at the conclusion of the current racing season.: Esteban Ocon is set to exit Haas at the conclusion of the current racing season.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
MEXICO CITY, Oct 31 : Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for this weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, the US-owned Formula One team said on Saturday.
• A team spokesman said the replacement was not due to illness but gave no further details. The governing FIA confirmed the change.
• French driver Ocon is due to leave Haas at the end of the season, with Brazilian Rafael Camara moving up from Formula Two for 2027.
• Japanese Hirakawa, 32, is a two-times world endurance champion and Le Mans 24 Hours winner with Toyota, who have a technical partnership with Ferrari-powered Haas. He took part in first practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Friday.
• The race will be his Formula One debut and he partners Britain's Ollie Bearman in final practice and qualifying on Saturday before Sunday's race.
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