Haas sack French driver Ocon after Mexico GP fallout
There were reports of a physical altercation between team chief Ayao Komatsu and Esteban Ocon at the Mexico GP over a disagreement on choice of tyres.
Haas has dismissed French Formula One driver Esteban Ocon following the Mexico Grand Prix, the team announced on Tuesday. Ocon, who has participated in 198 Grands Prix over a decade-long career with six different teams, was replaced by Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa for the upcoming Mexico race. Team chief Ayao Komatsu explained the decision on social media platform X, stating that it is in the best interest of the team's future.
He added that the discussions between the team and Ocon remain private. Initially, there were reports of a physical altercation between Komatsu and Ocon in Mexico City due to a disagreement on tyre selection, a claim Ocon denied. Last month, Haas confirmed that Ocon will be succeeded by Brazilian Rafael Camara, a member of Ferrari's driver academy, for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Komatsu expressed excitement about welcoming Camara to the team and working with him during his debut in Formula 1 with the VF-26 in Brazil. After Sao Paulo, Haas will compete in the GPs of Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
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Also reported by 3 other outlets
- Haas sack French driver Ocon after Mexico GP fallout freemalaysiatoday.com
- Janu�ria, in Brazil's Interior, Is Home to Monumental Caves in the Heart of Minas Gerais' Backlands redir.folha.com.br
- Camara to make home F1 debut in Brazil as Haas rule out Ocon's return channelnewsasia.com
