F1 Mexico: Hirakawa scores a point on his debut (Haas)
The newsroomUpdated on November 2, 20263 minRyo Hirakawa, 32, stand-in for Ocon at Haas, finishes 10th in the Mexico City GP on his first F1 start and scores a point after post-race penalties for others.
Key point
Called up on Saturday morning to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas, Ryo Hirakawa (32) finished 10th in the Mexico GP and scored a point in his first ever race.
A weekend meant for a reserve driver turned into a nice piece of F1 history. Ryo Hirakawa (Haas), 32, finished 10th in the Mexico Grand Prix in his very first Formula 1 race, and leaves with a championship point.
Drafted in at short notice
The Japanese driver was drafted into Haas on Saturday morning to replace Esteban Ocon. He had already fulfilled his rookie requirement in Friday's opening practice session, so he had only one additional hour of running to learn the VF-26 before his first Grand Prix.
In qualifying he took 19th. A penalty for Liam Lawson lifted him one place on the grid. Hirakawa said he could have made Q2 without the traffic on his final lap.
A point thanks to penalties
At the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez the race ran over 71 laps. Hirakawa saw the chequered flag outside the points. After the finish, the stewards handed time penalties to Oscar Piastri and to both Alpine drivers, Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly. That promoted the Japanese driver to tenth, worth a point.
F1journaal notes he is the sixth driver in ten years to score on his debut race.
"I wanted to learn"
Hirakawa admitted he prioritised finishing: "I took too much margin at the start because I really wanted to finish the race because I want to learn." The long run to Turn 1 forced him to manage many braking points, side by side with other cars.
The first stint was tough, with Haas lacking pace. After the Safety Car he switched to the C5 tyre: "I had more confidence and passed two cars. I'm happy to finish like that."
Toyota's dream
The result also matters to Toyota. Its chairman, Akio Toyoda, said he had held the dream "quietly in my heart for 17 years", a reference to the manufacturer's withdrawal from F1 after the 2009 season. The technical partnership between Toyota and Haas had given Hirakawa chances to drive. Toyoda set two goals: score points, then reach the podium. He promised the driver no further race.
What next?
Haas had not yet confirmed its line-up for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Hirakawa was originally due to return to his World Endurance Championship (WEC) commitments with Toyota.
Key points
- Hirakawa, 32, 10th in Mexico in his first F1 race.
- One point, thanks to penalties for Piastri, Colapinto and Gasly.
- Next step: not confirmed by Haas.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Ryo Hirakawa?
A 32-year-old Japanese driver and Haas reserve who replaced Esteban Ocon for the rest of the Mexico Grand Prix weekend and made his first F1 start there.
How did he score a point?
He crossed the line outside the points, then moved up after post-race stewards' penalties for Oscar Piastri, Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly. He ended up 10th.
What does Toyota think of the debut?
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda called it a dream he had quietly held for 17 years, since the manufacturer left F1 after the 2009 season.
Sources
- F1i — Penalty windfall puts Hirakawa in the F1 history books
- F1journaal — Hirakawa makes F1 debut aged 32 and scores a point straight away
- GrandPrix.com — Toyoda says Hirakawa's F1 debut fulfilled a 17-year dream
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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