Komatsu says Ocon's Haas exit surprised team

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu says the squad was surprised when he told them Esteban Ocon would not compete at the Mexican Grand Prix. Ocon was dropped after a falling-out following Friday practice, with a disagreement with race engineer Laura Mueller over run plans in FP2 the only confirmed detail. Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa replaced him for the rest of the weekend, and he will not return to the cockpit this season.

Komatsu said he could not share more about the situation. Oliver Bearman, now the lead driver alongside rookies, said his mindset had not changed and that he hoped the situation would not cause disruption. Rafael Camara, Haas's 2027 recruit, is making his F1 debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix.