Ferrari has been compelled to revise its Free Practice 1 (FP1) driver lineup for the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix following Esteban Ocon’s premature departure from Haas. The change impacts Ferrari’s junior driver program and the mandatory rookie sessions for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The original plan involved Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who is slated to join Haas in 2027, driving Charles Leclerc’s car during the first practice session at Interlagos. However, Camara will now make his Formula 1 debut with Haas in Brazil, partnering Ollie Bearman.
Haas confirmed on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, that Ocon would no longer compete for the team for the remainder of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. This decision follows a reported disagreement between Ocon and Team Principal Ayao Komatsu.
Ocon had previously announced in September 2026 that he would be leaving Haas at the conclusion of the current season. His immediate replacement at the Mexico City Grand Prix was Ryo Hirakawa, who scored a point on his debut.
Hirakawa’s pre-existing commitments in the World Endurance Championship this weekend at Monza opened the door for Camara’s earlier F1 debut with Haas. Camara, a 21-year-old Brazilian, is currently leading the FIA Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship with 207 points after 12 of 14 rounds.
With Camara now unavailable for Ferrari’s FP1 duties, the team has appointed Dino Beganovic to take the wheel of Leclerc’s SF-26. Beganovic, a 22-year-old Swede, is also a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and has been with the program for six years.
Beganovic currently sits fifth in the 2026 F2 Drivers’ Championship with 137 points, 70 points behind leader Camara. This will mark Beganovic’s Formula 1 debut. He had previously participated in FP1 sessions for Ferrari in Barcelona and Austria earlier in the season.
Leclerc will miss the FP1 session due to personal leave. His wife, Alexandra, announced the birth of their daughter, Bianca, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Bianca was born on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Leclerc is expected to return to the cockpit for the second free practice session later on Friday. He had previously indicated that while he would not miss a race, he might adjust his schedule for practice sessions around the birth.
Formula 1 regulations mandate that each team must run a rookie driver in two FP1 sessions per car during the season, totaling four outings. Ferrari had completed two of these required sessions prior to the São Paulo Grand Prix.
The São Paulo Grand Prix weekend commences on Friday, November 6, 2026. FP1 is scheduled for 12:30 PM local time (BRT), followed by FP2 at 4:00 PM local time (BRT). The event at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace is Round 20 of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
