Ayao Komatsu remarked that “everyone was taken aback” when he informed the Haas team that Esteban Ocon would no longer be driving for them during the Mexican Grand Prix in Formula 1.
Ocon was let go by Haas after a disagreement following the Friday practice session at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Although there was considerable speculation, the exact events remain unclear—other than a conflict with his race engineer, Laura Mueller, concerning the running plans in FP2 that was heard on the team radio.
Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, who participated in FP1, stepped in for Ocon for the rest of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend and will not be back in the car this season. This weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Haas’s 2027 newcomer Rafael Camara is making his Formula 1 debut alongside regular driver Oliver Bearman.
“On Saturday morning, when I had to let the team know, ‘Esteban’s not driving anymore; Ryo is in the car,’ of course everyone was taken aback,” team principal Komatsu conveyed.
“As I mentioned to them, typically, within the team, I strive to be as transparent as I can, and provide you with the context. However, I can’t really share more than that.”
Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Komatsu emphasized that he couldn’t go into specifics about the situation surrounding Ocon but acknowledged that his experiences with the driver have taught him valuable lessons about managing drivers.
“Every day offers an opportunity to learn,” he stated. “Truly, every day brings something new; you are continuously learning. My nearly two years of working with Esteban has taught me a lot. Hence, it’s a perpetual learning journey.”
Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman has stepped into the position of lead driver, navigating the challenges of having rookies joining him at Haas, although he clarified that his outlook “hasn’t wavered”.
“It feels unusual not having Esteban around, and it’s undeniably a tough scenario for everyone,” Bearman remarked. “I genuinely empathize with him. The situation is undoubtedly complex, and dynamics have shifted.
“I just hope this doesn’t spark any disruption. At least last week, I wouldn’t say it caused any disruption whatsoever. If anything, having Rafa in the car for these events is a positive development, and it’s also preparing us as a unit for the future.”
What are Bearman’s expectations as he collaborates with the current leader of the F2 championship?
“Honestly, I’m eager to have a teammate who will really challenge me,” he expressed. “Of course, I’ve experienced that over the years, Esteban was a strong motivator. But Rafa promises to be a formidable rival as well.
“For us, as competitive individuals and racing drivers, having someone who pushes you to excel is vital, and that’s surely the best way to maximize the potential of the team.”
Additional reporting by Jake Boxall-Legge and Filip Cleeren
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