Ocon clears the air after being replaced mid-weekend by Haas

Esteban Ocon has addressed the controversy surrounding his replacement for the Mexican Grand Prix by Haas F1 Team's Japanese driver, Ryō Hirakawa. Haas made the decision on Friday to replace the French driver for the remainder of the weekend. Haas confirmed that no further statements would be issued regarding the matter. Hirakawa had already taken part in the first practice session of the weekend, finishing 15th.

Speculation was rampant in the paddock about Ocon's sudden departure, along with questions if this would be his final appearance on the F1 grid. Ocon's departure from Haas was confirmed just two weeks ago, with the driver set to be replaced by current Formula 2 driver Rafael Camara in 2027.

The French driver chose to clarify the situation on social media after rumors of a physical altercation began to circulate. Ocon stated that a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with the parties involved. He firmly denied any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences.

Ocon reiterated his stance, saying he strongly condemns violence in all its forms and believes disagreements should always be handled with professionalism, respect, and mutual understanding. He requested an end to speculation about the reason for the split, asking that it be avoided while the matter was being addressed.

During the second practice session, Ocon and his engineer Laura Mueller were heard disagreeing about a change in his run plan. Mueller informed Ocon that they had swapped the high fuel run to a medium tire, as Olivier's (Ocon's) tyre performance was not good. Ocon questioned if they would still be using soft tires, to which Mueller confirmed they would only be using the medium tire.

Ocon expressed his disappointment, saying, "No, no, I wanted the soft, like, don't do that to me. It is my turn this weekend. Come on." This incident highlights the rarity of F1 drivers being replaced mid-weekend, typically occurring due to unavoidable circumstances such as injury or illness.