Ocon Denies Physical Row After Shock Haas Axing Hands Hirakawa His F1 Debut in Mexico

Esteban Ocon has spoken out after being dropped by Haas in the middle of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, denying reports that a disagreement with the team turned physical. Haas announced on Saturday morning that reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa would replace Ocon for final practice, qualifying and Sunday's race, giving the Japanese driver his Formula 1 race debut. The team gave no reason for the change, saying only that Ocon was not ill, and the team added that no further statement would be made. The flashpoint appears to have come in Friday's second practice session, when Ocon objected over team radio to being switched from soft to medium tyres for his long run, telling race engineer Laura Mueller it was his turn to run the softer compound. Ocon later confirmed on social media that a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion, but he categorically rejected any suggestion that physical violence was used to settle it. Hirakawa, who had already driven Ocon's car in first practice on Friday, qualified 18th for his debut, becoming the oldest driver to make a Formula 1 debut since André Lotterer in 2014. Ocon was already set to leave Haas at the end of the season, with rookie Rafael Camara signed to succeed him in 2027, but the sudden mid-weekend split has left his immediate future unclear. Sunday's race, starting at 2:00 p.m. CT, will be Hirakawa's first grand prix start.