Alpine Penalties Hand Hirakawa a Point on His Formula 1 Debut in Mexico

Ryo Hirakawa's whirlwind Formula 1 debut ended with a championship point after post-race penalties for both Alpine drivers reshuffled the Mexico City Grand Prix order. Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly had crossed the line eighth and tenth respectively, but stewards found neither had slowed sufficiently when passing yellow flags during the race. Colapinto received a 10-second penalty for an infringement under a single yellow flag, while Gasly was given a stop-and-go penalty for failing to slow adequately under double yellows, later converted into 30 seconds added to his race time. The sanctions left Alpine without a point from the event and promoted Liam Lawson to seventh, Gabriel Bortoleto to eighth and Isack Hadjar to ninth — with Haas newcomer Hirakawa securing tenth and his first Formula 1 championship point. Hirakawa, 32, had been drafted in after Haas unexpectedly withdrew Esteban Ocon ahead of Saturday's final practice, leaving the Japanese reserve driver with just one practice session and qualifying to prepare for his first grand prix. He became Formula 1's oldest debutant since Andre Lotterer raced for Caterham at the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix. Haas has yet to announce who will occupy Ocon's seat at next weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.