McLaren driver Lando Norris topped the final practice session at the 2026 F1 Mexico City Grand Prix on Saturday, while Haas refocused after they benched Esteban Ocon.
Haas shocked the F1 paddock this Saturday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with the news that Esteban Ocon will not be taking part in the rest of the Mexico City GP event. Haas gave no reasons for their mid-event decision to drop Ocon, who is being replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the remainder of the weekend given the Japanese star drove in FP1.
Hirakawa was one of the 10 rookie drivers who took part as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped FP1 at the Mexico City GP on Friday. Ocon returned to action but he had an edgy exchange with his race engineer over Haas’ run plan, as Leclerc also topped FP2 at the Mexico City GP.
It remains to be seen whether Ocon could return to action for Haas in Brazil at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix next week, and then the final rounds this year in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Hirakawa was immediately involved in the FP3 action at the Mexico City GP, as he looked to get dialled in to the Haas VF-26 ahead of qualifying for what will now be his F1 debut at the age of 32. The start of...