Haas should hand Rafael Camara the last four races, not just his home debut

A split Haas won't explain

Komatsu said "such decisions are never made lightly, as was the case in Mexico City" and that the conversations between the team and Ocon "remain an internal matter". The team have given no reasons. What has been reported is a dispute over tyre strategy with his race engineer during second practice in Mexico. The Race reported that Ocon complained about being told to do his longer high-fuel run on mediums rather than softs. He was stood down the next morning.

Ocon has admitted a difference in viewpoints with the team, but BBC Sport reported that he "categorically rejected any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences".

Hirakawa's unexpected point in Mexico

Reserve driver and Toyota protege Ryo Hirakawa had driven Ocon's car in first practice as part of his Haas programme. He told Japanese media he got the call at 6.30am on Saturday to say he would complete the weekend, The Race reported. It was a surprise debut in difficult circumstances, and it paid. Hirakawa passed both Williams drivers late on after the restart, which was worth 13th on the road and became 10th after penalties for three drivers ahead.

That point matters in Haas's constructors' fight with Audi. It also shows the reserve option works, so Haas have a safety net. They shouldn't need to keep leaning on it.

Why Camara needs a run of races

Camara is a Ferrari junior and an F2 title contender, and Komatsu said he "excelled in his TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] outing in August". He is the team's 2027 driver whatever happens in the next month. A rookie learns far more from four consecutive weekends than from a single one, and every lap now is a lap he won't have to find next year.

We think Haas were right to bring him in early, and that they should have named him for every remaining round in the same statement. Hirakawa's point says the stand-in can hold the fort if needed. It isn't a reason to leave the 2027 driver waiting week to week.

Camara drives the VF-26 for the first time in a grand prix this weekend in Brazil. After that come three rounds with no name yet attached to the car.