Rafael Camara is set to make his F1 debut at the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix for Haas on weekend of 6-8 November.
Camara was initially set to step up to F1 next season with Haas but his debut has been brought forward to this weekend’s event in his home country, Brazil.
The decision to promote the 21-year-old Brazilian comes after Esteban Ocon suddenly was ruled out of Saturday and Sunday’s action in Mexico, with Ryo Hirakawa called up to replace the Frenchman for the rest of that round and finished 10th after post-race penalties for other drivers.
Hirakawa however has prior sporting commitments this weekend so Haas have opted to call up Camara to race alongside Oliver Bearman, with Ocon now no longer part of the team moving forward after he had initially been set to leave at the end of this campaign.
In a team statement on social media, Haas confirmed that Ocon won’t participate in the remaining rounds and that Camara will fill his seat in Sao Paulo, which indicates that further decisions for the last three scheduled races will be made in due course.
“TGR Haas F1 Team can confirm that Esteban Ocon will no longer compete on its behalf in the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
“Rafael Câmara will now partner Ollie Bearman in the team at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
“Rafael will make his Formula 1 debut on home-soil this year having last month been announced as one of TGR Haas F1 Team’s full-time driver signings for the 2027 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.”
Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu added that the decision to let Ocon leave early was a private matter for only them and those involved to know.
“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.
“The conversations that ultimately unfolded between the team and Esteban remain an internal matter, and we will continue to respect the private nature of closed-door situations.
“Looking ahead, we’ve chosen Rafael Câmara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
“Having excelled in his TPC outing in August, we know Rafa’s capabilities and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the team this weekend and working with him through his Formula 1 debut driving the VF-26 in Brazil.”
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