Esteban Ocon has been stood down by Haas during the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, with his departure from the squad reportedly brought forward following an internal dispute. According to reporting from GPblog, the decision was disciplinary in nature and definitively brought an end to the French driver's stint with the organisation prior to the completion of the 2026 championship season.
Strained Relations Before Mexico
The competitor already had an exit scheduled at the conclusion of the championship, with Rafael Câmara having been announced as his replacement. Nevertheless, friction surrounding the Frenchman's performance alongside his dissatisfaction regarding the manner in which the team conducted his departure had reportedly worsened the relationship between the parties over recent weeks.
Friday Disagreement and Hospitality Altercation
The situation reportedly reached its limit following Friday's free practice sessions. During the second practice session, a radio dispute took place between Ocon and his race engineer, Laure Muller, with whom he already maintained an uneasy dynamic. Still wearing his helmet, the French driver walked into the Haas hospitality area in Mexico, where a confrontation reportedly took place. Although specific details regarding the episode have not yet been clarified, an atmosphere of palpable tension became evident throughout the paddock.
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Garage Changes and Hirakawa Replacement
Haas did not publish a comprehensive statement concerning the dismissal, announcing solely that Ocon would be replaced by Ryo Hirakawa. The organisation also clarified to media outlets, including GPblog, that the Frenchman was not suffering from illness, reinforcing reporting surrounding a possible internal conflict. In the garage in Mexico, team mechanics began removing Ocon's name and likeness from the facility, while the car utilized by the driver underwent adaptations to meet Hirakawa's driving preferences.
The earlier uncertainty over the other seat is covered in Bearman's comments on his 2027 Haas future.
Sources: F1: Ocon é afastado pela Haas após desentendimento interno no México, diz site.
