An F1 star has suddenly been replaced just hours before qualifying following a tense exchange with the team as major question raised over his immediate future

An F1 star has suddenly been replaced just hours before qualifying following a tense exchange with his team. The strange timing of the driver swap has raised questions about his immediate future after a disagreement on the team radio.

Esteban Ocon has been dropped by Haas for the Mexico City Grand Prix despite taking part in Friday’s practice session.

The Frenchman, who is leaving the team at the end of the season, has been replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the remainder of the weekend after the Japanese driver appeared in the other practice session yesterday. The decision has come just hours before the Qualifying session.

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Haas announced the untimely switch in a team statement where they refused to go into any reasons behind the decision, although it was confirmed that Ocon is not ill.

The statement read: “TGR Haas F1 Team reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

“Ryo participated in FP1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Friday, his third free practice outing of the season driving the VF-26, finishing 15th overall.

“The Japanese driver will partner teammate Ollie Bearman through final practice and qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s 71-lap grand prix – marking Ryo's Formula 1 race debut. No further statements will be made at this time.”

It comes after Ocon had a dispute with his race engineer Laura Mueller during the second practice session on Friday after tyre strategy and practice programmes.

Mueller told Ocon they would be switching his current soft tyre programme to use the medium tyres on his race-simulation run because team-mate Bearman’s soft tyre run was “not great”.

Ocon was told “we have to do medium” when he asked for clarity on the change, seeing the 30-year-old reply: "No, no. I wanted the soft. Don't do that to me. Come on."

As Ocon was wheeled back into the garage, he frustratingly said: “It is my turn this weekend come on.”

Haas have also moved to remove Ocon’s name, number and image from the garage, replacing them with Hirakawa’s.

It raises serious questions about Ocon’s immediate future and whether he will race again for Haas this season given the strange timing of his axing and the fact he will not drive for the team next year.

Haas have already announced that F2 Championship leader Rafael Camara has signed a multi-year deal to replace Ocon and drive alongside Bearman next season.

Meanwhile, Ocon is yet to secure a seat for 2027, and his F1 career is in doubt.