Terrifying Austrian GP footage as Ryo Hirakawa strikes Haas mechanic

Multi-time endurance racing champion Ryo Hirakawa was involved in a scary collision with a Haas mechanic in practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The incident – from which the mechanic thankfully walked away from unhurt – happened during the opening practice session of the race weekend. Hirakawa was standing in for Esteban Ocon during that session.

Haas mechanic fine as Ryo Hirakawa explains incident

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FP1 in Austria saw several teams deploy a rookie session. Each team needs to field a rookie driver in FP1 four times across a season. A rookie driver is determined as one with two or fewer grand prix starts.

Hirakawa has experienced multiple title wins in the World Endurance Championship, and has over recent years contested various FP1 sessions. His first came with McLaren in Abu Dhabi 2024, and his latest at the 2026 Austrian GP with Haas.

The Japanese star was involved in a scary incident, with footage from his onboard camera capturing the moment that Hirakawa abruptly knocked a Haas mechanic to the ground.

Hirakawa had come into the pit lane, but went long into his box at the Haas garage. His front-left tyre made contact with a Haas mechanic, who was sent tumbling.

Thankfully, the mechanic stood back up and was confirmed to be fine.

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Hirakawa put in a strong performance to finish Austria FP1 in 19th, before handing the car back to Ocon.

Reflecting on his session and the incident, Hirakawa said: “It was quite hectic. I started with some rakes to do some aero tests. Quite a lot of things to test for new parts, etc.

“Very challenging to do all the procedures, but it went very well.

“There was a small accident with my number one [mechanic]. I pressed the wrong button when I was stopping in the box, and then eventually I hit the number one. It was just pressing the wrong button.

“I went to see him after driving, and he was okay. So I was happy with it.

“Then there was some quali sim at the end. That was quite challenging to do from race mode to quali sim straight away, different deployment, different procedures, but I was able to feel the car.”

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