Haas F1 Team has confirmed Esteban Ocon will not compete for the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The decision follows an internal incident during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. Brazilian rookie Rafael Câmara will replace Ocon, making his Grand Prix debut at the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix.
Ocon’s departure stems from a reported heated exchange after Friday practice in Mexico City. The disagreement involved team principal Ayao Komatsu and race engineer Laura Mueller, concerning the FP2 run plan.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu issued a statement regarding the change. Komatsu indicated the decision was made in the team’s best interest.
“We have now notified Esteban Ocon that he will not return to a race seat with TGR Haas F1 Team this season. Such decisions are never made lightly, as was the case in Mexico City – but then, as now, we feel this is firmly in the best interest of the team moving forward.”
Komatsu further stated that the specifics of the conversations between Ocon and the team remain an internal matter. Ocon had a two-year contract with Haas for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The Frenchman had already confirmed his departure from Haas at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Haas had not exercised a reported option for Ocon to continue with the team in 2027.
Rafael Câmara, 21, will partner Ollie Bearman at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. This marks an early introduction to Formula 1 for Câmara, who was already confirmed for Haas’s 2027 driver line-up.
Câmara currently leads the FIA Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship with 207 points. He holds this position after Round 12, which took place at the Baku City Circuit.
A member of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021, Câmara gained prior experience with Haas machinery. He participated in a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme in August.
During this test at Portimão, Portugal, Câmara drove the team’s 2025 VF-25 car. His performance in this session was noted by the team.
The São Paulo Grand Prix, Round 20 of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, runs from November 6-8. Free Practice 1 is scheduled for Friday, November 6, at 12:30 local time.
Qualifying for the Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, November 7, at 15:00 local time. The 71-lap race is set for Sunday, November 8, at 14:00 local time.
Ocon was initially replaced by reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Hirakawa qualified 19th and finished 13th, later being promoted to 10th due to post-race penalties.
Hirakawa is unavailable for the São Paulo Grand Prix due to his World Endurance Championship commitments. He is currently contending for the Hypercar drivers’ title with Toyota.
Haas considered other reserve drivers, including Jack Doohan. However, Formula 1 regulations limit teams to four different race drivers per season.
This restriction influenced the decision to promote Câmara, ensuring his eligibility for any remaining rounds beyond Brazil. Ocon’s immediate future in Formula 1 remains unconfirmed.
