Esteban Ocon has denied French media reports of a physical altercation with Haas boss Ayao Komatsu, issuing his first statement since being dropped for the Mexico Grand Prix. Ocon was benched most likely due to a public disagreement with his race engineer during free practice. Following Friday night discussions, Haas decided to drop Ocon for the remainder of the weekend, with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa taking over his car from FP3 onwards.
While speculation ran rife in French outlets regarding the exact nature of Ocon's spat with Komatsu, including physical altercation rumours, Ocon's camp firmly rejected any suggestion of violence. In a social media post, Ocon acknowledged a difference in viewpoints led to discussion but categorically rejected allegations of physical violence, stressing disagreements should be handled with professionalism and respect. He asked that speculation be avoided while the matter is addressed, with further updates to follow.
At this point, it remains unclear if Ocon will return for the Brazilian Grand Prix or finish the season with the US-owned team. The 30-year-old grand prix winner is fighting for his F1 future after being dropped for 2027 in favor of Ferrari rookie Rafa Camara, with his options dwindling rapidly.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing