Key Highlights:
- Haas reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa made his unexpected Formula 1 debut at the Mexico City Grand Prix, stepping in after regular driver Esteban Ocon was stood down from driving duties.
- The Japanese driver stated he would have “easily” progressed into Q2 during qualifying had he not run into traffic caused by Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto on his final run.
- Despite an unfamiliar run plan skewed heavily toward qualifying, Hirakawa is solely focused on Sunday’s race start while remaining noncommittal about potential conflicts with his FIA World Endurance Championship championship-deciding finale at Monza.
Ryo Hirakawa Laments Lost Q2 Opportunity on Haas F1 Debut
Haas stand-in driver Ryo Hirakawa expressed frustration following Saturday’s qualifying session at the AutĂłdromo Hermanos RodrĂguez, stating that he could have secured an advancement into the intermediate stage of the session were it not for severe on-track traffic during his decisive flying lap. Hirakawa was thrust into competitive Formula 1 machinery for the Mexico City Grand Prix after Haas stood down regular driver Esteban Ocon from his weekend duties.
The two-time FIA World Endurance Championship winner had initially participated in Free Practice 1 before receiving an unexpected full-event promotion on Saturday. Despite the abrupt schedule change, Hirakawa found early pace in qualifying, posting a personal-best first sector that momentarily positioned him to fight Carlos Sainz for a pathway into the subsequent rounds of knockout qualifying. However, the bid unraveled across the final two sectors of the circuit.
Traffic Woes with Albon and Colapinto Derail Mexico City Qualifying
Hirakawaâs rapid opening sector was neutralized as he rapidly closed in on Williams driver Alex Albon through the fluid mid-speed direction changes of sector two. The loss of aerodynamic grip persisted into the final sector, where he crossed paths with Franco Colapinto in the final complex, effectively ruining his lap time.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Hirakawa lamented the lost potential of his VF-24:
“I had traffic from Turn 6 and also high-speed sections, so I lost a lot of downforce,” Hirakawa said.
“I could have been, I’ll say easily to Q2, which is a very, very big shame for me, but still it’s nice to be here, so I can’t complain much.”
“The ambient conditions like this, as soon as you slide you feel the price in sector 3. You need to push, but at the same time you need to manage a bit.”
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Adapting Quickly from FP1 to Sunday Grand Prix Reality
The rapid call-up to substitute for Esteban Ocon forced Hirakawa into an unconventional operational routine. He had to scrap his regular morning preparation run once he learned he would contest Free Practice 3 and the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend. Because Haas prioritized single-lap qualifying simulations during FP3, the Japanese racer approaches Sunday’s full-distance Grand Prix facing a considerable set of unknowns regarding race degradation and procedure.
Nevertheless, Hirakawa credited his prior running in Friday’s opening practice session for providing a stable baseline:
“I drove in FP1 so the experience helped a lot. I was not starting from zero in FP3, so I don’t think it was like that for my case.”
“I even tried stopping at the [pit]box at the FP3 at the start, but it’s going to be different in the race circumstances, but I think I should be ready for it.”
Heading into Sunday’s Grand Prix, his procedural checklist is deliberately restrained: [The plan is] a good start, a good first corner and a lot of new things, so just execute and do my best.
Why This Matters
Hirakawaâs sudden appearance on the Formula 1 grid adds notable intrigue to both the F1 driver market and the World Endurance Championship title picture. Driving alongside SĂ©bastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley in the #8 Toyota Gazoo Racing entry, Hirakawa currently holds a 25-point lead in the WEC drivers’ standings heading into the season finale at Monza. Their primary challengers are the sister #7 Toyota crew of Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries, and Mike Conwayâwho is contesting his final race prior to retirement. To overhaul the #8 crew, the #7 Toyota car must take pole position and win the event.
When asked if his sudden F1 commitments with Haas might lead him to relinquish his entry in next week’s Monza WEC title decider, Hirakawa deflected speculation:
“I’m just focused on tomorrow, nothing to discuss for next week. Let’s see what we can do for tomorrow.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ryo Hirakawa driving for Haas at the Mexico City Grand Prix?
Ryo Hirakawa stepped in to replace regular Haas driver Esteban Ocon after Ocon was stood down from his driving duties ahead of Saturday’s competitive sessions.
Which drivers caused traffic on Hirakawa’s final qualifying lap?
Hirakawa encountered Alex Albon through the high-speed sweepers of Sector 2âleading to a significant loss of aerodynamic downforceâand caught Franco Colapinto in the final sector of the lap.
How does this F1 start impact Hirakawa’s WEC championship battle?
Hirakawa leads the WEC championship by 25 points alongside teammates SĂ©bastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley heading into the Monza finale against the #7 Toyota crew. While Hirakawa refused to comment on whether his F1 commitments would affect his participation at Monza, he remains in prime position for the endurance crown.
