Driver gets into a fight with team principal?! Major scandal in Formula 1
Haas have unexpectedly withdrawn Esteban Ocon from the remainder of the Mexican Grand Prix. His place has been taken by Japanese reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa, who is set to make his Formula 1 debut in the upcoming race.
According to L’Équipe, the decision followed a serious internal conflict within the team. On Friday, Ocon engaged in a heated exchange with his race engineer Laura Müller over a change to the tyre programme. In addition, journalists report that the Frenchman also clashed with a member of the communications department.
The biggest bombshell concerns a possible confrontation with Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu. L’Équipe has not ruled out the possibility that the two nearly came to blows. However, this information has yet to be officially confirmed.
The team itself limited its response to a brief statement confirming the driver change, without explaining the reasons behind the decision. Haas did, however, make it clear that Ocon’s absence was not illness-related.
What is more, the paddock is already discussing the possibility that the Frenchman will not return to the Haas cockpit for the rest of the season. Ocon is set to leave the American team in any case after the 2026 championship. For now, however, his participation in the remaining rounds remains in doubt.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
