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Hirakawa calls late Haas F1 call-up a ‘dream come true’

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-11-02GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

Haas called Hirakawa up hours before qualifying to replace Esteban Ocon; after qualifying 19th, he was set for his first Grand Prix start on Sunday.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Ryo Hirakawa described his late call-up to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for the Mexico City Grand Prix as a “dream come true” after qualifying 19th on Saturday. He was then set to make his first Grand Prix start in Sunday’s race.

Haas announced the change on Saturday morning, only hours before qualifying, but offered no further comment on its reasons. Hirakawa had already driven in Friday’s FP1 as the team’s reserve driver and also took part in FP3.

He said the call-up came as a big surprise, though he was ready in his reserve role and had always dreamed of the chance. The 12 hours had passed quickly, he said, with much to prepare and help from the team.

His focus was on getting through Q1, Hirakawa said, and he encountered traffic on his final push lap.

Hirakawa races for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship, where he is a two-time champion; he also won the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Sources 01
  1. PRIMARY SOURCELate Haas F1 call-up in Mexico 'dream come true' – HirakawaFormula 1