Ryo Hirakawa Scores First F1 Point on Debut After Alpine Penalties at Mexico GP
Ryo Hirakawa enjoyed a memorable start to his Formula 1 career by securing his first championship point on his debut at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. The Japanese driver initially finished 13th on the track but was promoted to 10th following a series of post-race penalties, including sanctions against both Alpine drivers.
Driving for Haas at the Autódromo Hermanos RodrÃguez on November 1, Hirakawa took advantage of the revised classification to enter the points-paying positions. His achievement came after an unexpected opportunity to make his Formula 1 race debut, replacing Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexico Grand Prix weekend.
The result gave Haas an additional championship point and made Hirakawa one of the major talking points following a dramatic race in Mexico City.
Ryo Hirakawa’s F1 Debut: From 13th to 10th at Mexico GP
Hirakawa’s Formula 1 debut came under unusual circumstances. Haas called up its reserve driver to replace Ocon after Friday’s practice session, giving the Japanese racer an opportunity to compete in his first Grand Prix.
Despite having limited preparation time, Hirakawa managed to complete the 71-lap race and initially crossed the finish line in 13th position.
However, the final classification changed following several post-race decisions by the FIA stewards. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri received a 10-second penalty, which initially moved Hirakawa up to 12th.
Further penalties for Alpine teammates Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly subsequently promoted the Haas driver into 10th place, securing his maiden Formula 1 championship point.
Alpine Double Penalty Changes Mexico GP Results
Alpine’s post-race penalties proved decisive in determining the final points positions at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly had initially finished eighth and 10th respectively. However, both drivers were investigated for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags during the race.
Colapinto received a 10-second time penalty for failing to reduce his speed appropriately under a single yellow flag. The Argentine driver was subsequently classified 15th.
Gasly received a more severe punishment after failing to slow sufficiently under double-waved yellow flags. His stop-and-go penalty was converted into a 30-second time addition after the race, dropping him to 17th.
The decisions meant Alpine lost both of its points finishes and left Mexico City without championship points.
The penalties also benefited other competitors, with Liam Lawson moving to seventh, Gabriel Bortoleto climbing to eighth and Isack Hadjar securing ninth.
Hirakawa completed the revised top 10 to claim the final championship point.
Ryo Hirakawa Reflects on His First Formula 1 Race
Despite the unexpected opportunity, Hirakawa described his debut as a valuable learning experience.
The Japanese driver admitted that the opening lap was particularly challenging, with several cars competing for position approaching the first corner.
He explained that he initially took extra caution while learning the braking points and understanding the demands of racing in a Formula 1 car.
His confidence improved as the race progressed, particularly after the Safety Car period. Running on soft tyres during the later stages, Hirakawa felt more comfortable and managed to overtake two cars.
The driver expressed happiness at completing his first Grand Prix and described the experience as a dream come true.
Although his original finishing position was outside the points, the subsequent penalties turned his debut into a memorable points-scoring occasion.
Max Verstappen Wins Mexico GP as Kimi Antonelli Secures F1 Title
While Hirakawa celebrated his first Formula 1 point, Max Verstappen secured victory at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who took second place for Ferrari. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli completed the podium in third position, a result that confirmed his maiden Formula 1 world championship.
The top six remained unchanged following the post-race penalties, with Charles Leclerc finishing fourth, Lando Norris fifth and George Russell sixth.
The revised classification also saw several drivers gain positions, highlighting how post-race steward decisions can significantly influence the championship points battle.
Updated Mexico City Grand Prix 2026 Results
The final classification following the post-race penalties was:
Max Verstappen – Red Bull
Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
Lando Norris – McLaren
George Russell – Mercedes
Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls
Gabriel Bortoleto – Audi
Isack Hadjar – Red Bull
Ryo Hirakawa – Haas
Hirakawa’s 10th-place finish earned him one championship point, marking an important milestone in his Formula 1 career.
Haas Benefits from Hirakawa’s Unexpected Points Finish
Hirakawa’s debut point also provided a valuable boost to Haas in the constructors’ championship.
The American team gained an additional point through the Japanese driver’s performance, strengthening its position in the battle with Audi in the standings.
For Hirakawa, the Mexico City Grand Prix will remain a significant milestone. What began as an unexpected call-up turned into a memorable Formula 1 debut, with the Japanese driver converting a challenging first race into a points-scoring result.
His performance also demonstrated the importance of remaining competitive throughout a Grand Prix weekend, even when the final outcome is influenced by decisions made after the chequered flag.
