Esteban Ocon has been permanently removed from his race seat at Haas for the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The decision, announced on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, follows an internal incident at the recent Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
Brazilian rookie Rafael Camara will replace Ocon, making his Formula 1 debut at this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix. Camara, a 21-year-old Ferrari junior, was already confirmed to join Haas on a multi-year contract starting in 2027.
The immediate change comes after Ocon was benched following Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Ryo Hirakawa, Haas’s Japanese reserve driver, stepped in for the remainder of that event.
The incident in Mexico reportedly stemmed from a dispute over tyre choice during second practice on Friday. This involved Ocon and his race engineer, Laura Mueller.
Mueller, appointed in January 2025, holds the distinction of being Formula 1’s first female full-time race engineer. She has been working with Ocon since his arrival at Haas for the 2025 season.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu stated that the decision to remove Ocon was not made lightly. He emphasized that it was firmly in the best interest of the team moving forward.
Komatsu confirmed that the conversations between the team and Ocon remain an internal matter. He added that Haas would continue to respect the private nature of closed-door situations.
Ocon had previously confirmed on September 30, 2026, that he would depart Haas at the conclusion of the current season. His contract was not extended beyond 2026.
Rafael Camara is the current FIA Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship leader. He secured the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship and the 2025 Formula 3 title.
Camara’s signing for 2027 was announced on October 15, 2026. He impressed Haas during a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) outing in August, driving the VF-25 at Portimão.
Ryo Hirakawa, who replaced Ocon in Mexico, finished 10th in his F1 debut after post-race penalties for other drivers. He is unavailable for São Paulo due to World Endurance Championship commitments with Toyota.
Ocon, who has competed in 198 Grands Prix and secured one victory, currently faces an uncertain future. Reports indicate that potential 2027 vacancies at Racing Bulls and Cadillac are unlikely to materialize for him.
His performance at Haas saw him outscored by teammate Oliver Bearman in 2025 and again in 2026. Ocon has accumulated seven points this season, compared to Bearman’s 30.
Komatsu took full responsibility for the decision to bench Ocon in Mexico. He consulted team owner Gene Haas before making the call.
Haas is yet to confirm the driver for the remaining races after the São Paulo Grand Prix. The team is limited to four different race drivers per season.
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.
