Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, stepping in for Esteban Ocon. The 21-year-old Brazilian, a Ferrari junior, was already confirmed to join Haas for the 2027 season on a multi-year agreement.
Camara’s early promotion to the Haas VF-26 comes after Esteban Ocon was permanently dropped by the team for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Ocon’s departure follows an internal incident and a reported ‘difference in viewpoints’ with Team Principal Ayao Komatsu during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
Komatsu stated that the decision to part ways with Ocon was ‘firmly in the best interests of the team moving forward.’
Ocon had been replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Hirakawa scored a point.
However, Hirakawa is unavailable for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix due to prior commitments in the World Endurance Championship.
Haas considered other options, including fellow reserve Jack Doohan, but was limited by regulations concerning the number of drivers used in a season.
Camara is currently leading the 2026 Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship with 207 points, holding a seven-point advantage over Red Bull-backed Nikola Tsolov.
He has secured three feature race victories in his rookie F2 campaign.
Camara’s rise through the junior ranks includes winning the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship and the 2025 Formula 3 championship.
A member of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021, Camara recently graduated from the program.
His performance in a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) test for Haas in August at Portimao, where he drove the VF-25, was a significant factor in his selection.
Camara’s F1 debut at Interlagos does not conflict with his remaining Formula 2 commitments, and he is also expected to compete for Haas in Las Vegas.
Haas will field an all-Ferrari junior line-up for the 2027 season, with Camara partnering Ollie Bearman.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, who took on the role in January 2024, previously led Haas to seventh in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix, held from November 6-8, marks Round 20 of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The 2026 event returns to a traditional Grand Prix format, foregoing a Sprint race.
“I’m grateful to TGR Haas F1 Team for giving me this opportunity, and I also want to thank Ferrari for their continued support. Making my Formula 1 debut in Brazil is a special moment for me. I know there is a lot to learn, and my focus is on working closely with the team, understanding the car and doing the best job I can this weekend.”
Ocon’s contract was set to expire at the end of 2026, and Haas had already decided not to retain him for the 2027 season.
Komatsu had indicated that Ocon, while quick, might thrive in a more stable environment than Haas could consistently offer.
Ocon finished behind his rookie teammate Ollie Bearman in the 2025 season, and the performance gap widened during a challenging 2026 campaign.
