Hirakawa qualifies 19th in F1 debut after replacing Ocon

Haas reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa qualified 19th for his Formula 1 debut at the Mexico City Grand Prix after taking Esteban Ocon’s seat for the remainder of the weekend, the team confirmed Saturday. The 32-year-old Japanese driver said traffic on his final qualifying lap cost him downforce and time in the high-speed sections. Haas did not explain why it replaced Ocon, and a team spokesman said illness was not the reason. The team confirmed the switch, which was also recognized by the FIA. Ocon had not commented on the change in the reports published around the announcement. Haas has said Ocon will not return to the team after the 2026 season. Hirakawa had driven in first practice on Friday, but received late notice that he would take over Ocon’s car for the rest of the weekend. He completed a compressed final practice session before qualifying, where he made three attempts in the first qualifying segment, Q1. He finished 0.875 seconds behind his teammate Ollie Bearman, who advanced to Q2. Hirakawa said he encountered traffic from Turn 6 and through the high-speed sections on his last lap, leaving him short of the time he believed he could achieve. His first and third sectors...