Ryo Hirakawa scored a point on his Formula 1 debut at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix after a series of post-race penalties promoted the Haas driver to 10th place. The Japanese racer, called up at short notice to replace Esteban Ocon, delivered an impressive performance that included late overtakes on both Williams drivers, before penalties for Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto transformed the final classification.
On a weekend dominated by Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s historic Formula 1 world championship triumph, Hirakawa produced another memorable story. Originally scheduled to participate only in the opening practice session, the Japanese driver unexpectedly found himself competing in his first Grand Prix and ultimately left Mexico with a championship point.
Mexico GP post-race penalties promote Ryo Hirakawa into the points
The series of penalties began with a collision between Oscar Piastri and Arvid Lindblad at the opening chicane. Following the race, the McLaren driver received a 10-second time penalty for the incident, dropping him to 13th position in the final classification.
However, the same incident also triggered two further investigations. According to the stewards, neither Pierre Gasly nor Franco Colapinto had respected the double yellow flags displayed following the collision, resulting in additional penalties for both Alpine drivers.
The FIA takes a particularly strict approach to safety infringements involving double yellow flags. Drivers are required to slow down significantly and be prepared to change direction or stop, given the potential danger posed by an incident on the circuit.
In both cases, Alpine appeared before the stewards in an attempt to demonstrate that Gasly and Colapinto had reduced their speed sufficiently to comply with the regulations. However, the telemetry data examined by the officials showed that the reductions in speed had been minimal.
Because the infringements involved safety, the stewards imposed substantial penalties, particularly on Gasly, who received a stop-and-go penalty. With both Alpine drivers subsequently dropping out of the top 10, opportunities opened up for those who had finished immediately outside the points.
Gabriel Bortoleto moved up to eighth place, while Isack Hadjar also benefited from the revised classification. Most notably, Haas debutant Ryo Hirakawa was promoted to 10th, securing a point in his first Formula 1 race.
Ryo Hirakawa impresses Haas with competitive pace on unexpected F1 debut
Although the post-race penalties played an important role in the final result, Hirakawa’s point was not simply a matter of good fortune. The Japanese driver had been expected to take part only in FP1 before receiving his unexpected opportunity to replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the weekend.
Despite having no previous Formula 1 Grand Prix experience, Hirakawa delivered the composed performance Haas needed. He avoided costly mistakes, maintained a respectable pace and showed the consistency required to complete a demanding race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Starting on medium tyres, Hirakawa spent much of the race running close to the two Williams cars. His overall pace was encouraging, even though he found himself more than 20 seconds behind team-mate Oliver Bearman after approximately 40 laps.
Considering the circumstances, it would have been difficult to demand much more from the Japanese driver. Liam Lawson also struggled to make his way through the field after starting from the back, illustrating the challenge of recovering positions during the race.
Soft tyres transform Ryo Hirakawa’s pace at Mexico City GP
The turning point in Hirakawa’s race came when he switched to the soft compound. The change gave him a new burst of competitiveness, allowing him to attack the drivers ahead rather than simply maintain his position.
The medium compound had not proved the most effective choice during Sunday’s race, whereas the soft tyre offered stronger performance. Its additional grip was particularly valuable at Mexico City’s high-altitude circuit, where the thinner air reduces the aerodynamic downforce generated by the cars.
That extra grip helped Hirakawa find more speed after the red-flag interruption. However, his restart was far from ideal, and he approached the opening corner with considerable caution.
It was a logical decision given the importance of avoiding damage to the car ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, but it cost him positions and dropped him to the back of the field. Rather than allowing the setback to define his race, Hirakawa responded by increasing his pace and beginning another recovery.
Ryo Hirakawa overtakes both Williams drivers in impressive late-race recovery
A Safety Car period with 10 laps remaining provided the perfect opportunity for Hirakawa to change tyres once again. It also allowed him to gain positions over Nico Hülkenberg and Sergio Pérez in the pit lane as both drivers served penalties previously imposed for separate collisions.
The Japanese driver consequently climbed to 15th place, immediately behind the two Williams cars. With fresher tyres fitted to his Haas, he was in a position to attack the FW48s during the closing stages.
With five laps remaining, Hirakawa launched an attack on the Spanish Williams driver, completing the overtake under braking for Turn 1. It was an encouraging move, but his most impressive pass was still to come.
Two laps before the chequered flag, he attacked Alex Albon at the same corner. This time, however, the Anglo-Thai driver braked later in an attempt to defend his position, forcing Hirakawa to complete the manoeuvre around the outside rather than simply outbraking his rival.
The Haas driver kept his foot down through the Turn 1 braking zone and successfully completed the pass, moving into 13th position on the road. It was a particularly impressive manoeuvre for someone competing in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Hirakawa turns unexpected F1 opportunity into a championship point
Fortune certainly played a part in Hirakawa’s final result, with the penalties imposed after the race ultimately lifting him into the top 10. However, without the determination he demonstrated in the closing laps, those sanctions would have counted for considerably less.
His ability to recover after a difficult restart, exploit the improved grip of the soft tyres and overtake both Williams drivers ensured that he was close enough to benefit when the classification changed.
What began as an unexpected Formula 1 debut therefore ended with a championship point for the Japanese driver, rewarding a disciplined and increasingly competitive performance for Haas.
Hirakawa can now turn his attention to another major challenge. At Monza next weekend, he will compete for the World Endurance Championship title, carrying the confidence of a successful Formula 1 debut into one of the most important events of his racing season.
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