Ocon denies reports of physical altercation behind dropping

Esteban Ocon denies reports that his being dropped by Haas at the Mexico City Grand Prix was a consequence of a row with team principal Ayao Komatsu descending into a physical confrontation. Esteban Ocon has been at Haas since the start of the 2025 season Esteban Ocon has denied reports that his being dropped by Haas at the Mexico City Grand Prix was a consequence of a row with team principal Ayao Komatsu descending into a physical confrontation. The Frenchman, 30, admitted in a statement on social media that "a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with the parties involved". But he said he "categorically rejected any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences of any nature".

His statement followed a report in France's L'Equipe, external which said that a meeting between Komatsu and Ocon "ended abruptly, perhaps even physically". The decision to stand Ocon down from the rest of the Mexico weekend came after he had had a dispute with race engineer Laura Mueller about tyre choice during second practice on Friday. Mueller had informed him that plans to run the soft-compound tyre had been changed and he would now use the medium. He replied: "No, no. I want to do soft… don't do that to me, come on."