Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has confirmed that Esteban Ocon’s sudden withdrawal from the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix was not caused by illness, but refused to explain why the Frenchman was replaced by Ryō Hirakawa. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 during Saturday’s (31) final practice session, Komatsu also declined to clarify whether Ocon would return for next weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix.
“I can’t tell you much, but at least I can tell you that he’s not ill,” Komatsu said, offering the first public clarification following Haas’s unexpected decision to remove Ocon from the Mexican Grand Prix.
Komatsu refuses to discuss Ocon’s radio exchange
The decision came less than 24 hours after Ocon completed Friday’s FP2, finishing 13th and discussing the team’s preparations for qualifying. Haas had originally assigned Hirakawa to FP1 as part of its reserve-driver programme, with Ocon expected to contest the remainder of the weekend.
During FP2, Ocon expressed frustration over a change to his tyre programme, questioning the team’s decision to switch from soft to medium tyres. Asked whether the exchange contributed to the substitution, Komatsu declined to comment.
“No, I’m sorry, but I can’t go into any details,” the Haas boss replied.
There is no confirmation that the radio exchange caused Ocon’s withdrawal. The FIA subsequently approved Hirakawa’s participation in FP3, qualifying and Sunday’s race, but its decision did not explain the reason for the change.
Ocon’s São Paulo return remains uncertain
Komatsu also declined to confirm whether Ocon would return at Interlagos on November 8. The situation is complicated by Hirakawa’s commitment to Toyota in the WEC season finale at Monza, scheduled for the same day as the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Hirakawa, Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley lead the WEC Drivers’ Championship by 17 points, making the Japanese driver’s participation in the title decider particularly important.
One alternative is Rafael Câmara, who has already been confirmed as a Haas driver for 2027. The Brazilian has 62 calculated super licence points, exceeding the FIA’s minimum requirement of 40, but the team has not announced plans to bring forward his debut.
The uncertainty also recalls Ocon’s early removal from Alpine’s line-up at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Jack Doohan replaced him before the end of the season.
Haas has only confirmed Hirakawa’s substitution for Mexico, leaving Ocon’s participation in the remaining four races unresolved.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
