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Esteban Ocon missed the Mexico City Grand Prix after Haas announced on Saturday morning local time that he would be replaced by 32-year-old debutant Ryo Hirakawa.
The team clarified that Ocon was not ill. During the race, it emerged that he had already left Mexico, and the Frenchman later issued a statement dismissing reports of a physical altercation between him and team principal Ayao Komatsu as untrue.
That, however, might not be the full story.
According to German outlet Bild, a heated row erupted between Ocon and Komatsu on Saturday morning in the team boss's office as they discussed Friday's disagreement, when Esteban was left frustrated by the team's tyre run plan.
At the end of the exchange, Komatsu reportedly refused to accept Ocon's apology for the incident on Friday. As Komatsu moved to leave the office, Ocon grabbed his arm and tried to forcibly restrain him from exiting the room.
That proved to be the final straw. Komatsu's immediate response was to announce that Ocon would no longer drive for the team, replacing him on the spot with Hirakawa.
Ocon's contract is expected to be terminated by mutual consent later this week to avoid any further dispute.
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