Ocon denies reports of physical altercation after being stood down at Mexico City GP

Esteban Ocon has denied reports that a dispute with Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu became physical and led to him being stood down for the Mexico City Grand Prix, a matter he addressed in a statement on social media on Saturday. The Frenchman, 30, said the accounts of physical violence were untrue.

Ocon has been at Haas since the start of the 2025 season. Haas stood him down for the rest of the Mexico weekend after a dispute with race engineer Laura Mueller about tyre choice during second practice on Friday; Mueller told him plans to run the soft-compound tyre had been changed and he would now use the medium, and he replied: "No, no. I want to do soft... don't do that to me, come on." The team announced last month that he would be leaving Haas at the end of the season and he is being replaced by the Brazilian Rafael Camara, leader of the Formula 2 championship and a member of the Ferrari driver development programme.

In his statement Ocon said "a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with the parties involved" and that he "categorically rejected any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences of any nature". He added: "I strongly condemn violence in all its forms and firmly believe that disagreements should always be handled with professionalism, respect, and mutual understanding. "I kindly ask that speculation be avoided while the matter is being addressed. Further updates will be communicated in due course."

France's L'Equipe published a report saying a meeting between Komatsu and Ocon "ended abruptly, perhaps even physically". Haas have not issued any further information about what happened after the session and have only said that Ocon has been dropped for this weekend's race; neither Haas nor sources within Ocon's management have commented on whether Ocon will drive for Haas again at any of this year's remaining races.

Hirakawa replaces Ocon for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Ocon said: "Further updates will be communicated in due course."