Ryo Hirakawa to replace Esteban Ocon for remainder of Mexico City Grand Prix weekend

Ryo Hirakawa has been named to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, the team said on Saturday. Ocon had taken part in Friday practice but will not drive on Saturday or Sunday.

Ocon, who is leaving Haas at the end of the year, was substituted by the team's Japanese reserve driver in a move for which the team offered no further explanation. A Haas spokesperson stated the change was not because the Frenchman was ill.

The decision followed an exchange during second practice on Friday between Ocon and his race engineer Laura Mueller about tyre strategy. Mueller told him they were switching him to use the medium tyres on his race-simulation run because team-mate Oliver Bearman's run on the soft was "not great". After Ocon asked for clarity, Mueller told him: "We have to do medium." Ocon replied: "No, no. I wanted the soft. Don't do that to me. Come on."

Haas declined to comment on whether the replacement was related to that radio exchange and its aftermath. Ocon is currently looking for a race seat for next year and it appears his chances are slim. Only Cadillac and Racing Bulls have theoretical openings, but neither are said to be interested in him.

Hirakawa, 32, will make his grand prix debut in Mexico and has already driven in first practice on Friday in Ocon's car. He is a two-time winner of the World Endurance Championship with Toyota, which is Haas' technical partner and title sponsor.

Haas has confirmed Ocon will be replaced next year by Brazilian rookie Rafael Camara. Camara is a member of the Ferrari development driver programme.