Ocon denies violence after Haas drops him in Mexico City

A statement after a silent Saturday

Esteban Ocon broke his silence on Saturday evening, after qualifying, with a short statement that was as notable for what it denied as for what it admitted. Hours earlier Haas had announced that he would play no further part in the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend and had given no reason. Into that gap came a report that the disagreement behind the decision had turned physical. Ocon rejected it.

What Ocon said

In his statement, posted on social media, Ocon said that "a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with the parties involved" on Friday evening, confirming that a conversation took place. He then "categorically" rejected reports that any form of physical violence was used, added that he condemns violence in all its forms, and asked for speculation to be avoided while the matter is addressed. He promised further updates in due course.

The report he was answering came from the French newspaper L'Equipe. According to Crash.net and PlanetF1, it described a meeting between Ocon and Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu that ended abruptly and spoke of a possible physical altercation. The outlets present it as a report, not as established fact. Autosport calls the rumours unsubstantiated. Komatsu declined to comment when asked by Sky Sports F1 on Saturday, according to The Race.

The run-up

The trigger appears to have been second practice on Friday. The Race and PlanetF1 describe a tense radio exchange between Ocon and his race engineer, Laura Mueller. Ocon was on the medium tyre and wanted the soft; Mueller told him the team had to run the medium, a change of run plan linked to the condition of Oliver Bearman's tyres. Ocon returned to the garage with his helmet still on. The Race says there was no sign of anything untoward after that.

On Saturday morning Haas announced that reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa would take Ocon's car for final practice, qualifying and the race. A spokesperson told PlanetF1 that the decision was not down to illness. Hirakawa qualified 19th.

By the numbers

The relationship had been under strain for some time: Haas announced in September that Ferrari junior Rafael Camara would take Ocon's seat for 2027, so he was already leaving at the end of the year. In our race data Ocon has scored 7 points from 18 races this season, with three top-ten finishes and an eighth place as his best result.

What happens next is open. Haas has not said who will drive its cars at the Brazilian Grand Prix on 6 to 8 November, and Ocon has said only that more information will follow.