Câmara to make home F1 debut as Haas end Ocon’s season

AI-generated illustration.

Rafael Câmara will make his Formula 1 race debut at his home São Paulo Grand Prix after Haas confirmed Esteban Ocon will not compete for the team again this season. The 21-year-old Brazilian will partner Ollie Bearman at Interlagos on 6–8 November.

Câmara, who leads the Formula 2 championship, had already been signed as a full-time Haas driver for 2027. The decision brings his first Grand Prix appearance forward, following Ocon’s removal from the car during last weekend’s Mexico City round.

The Ferrari Driver Academy member has already driven for Haas in testing. He joined the academy in 2021 and completed a test in the team’s previous car, the VF-25, at Portimão in Portugal in August. His competitive debut will come in the current VF-26.

Haas reserve Ryō Hirakawa replaced Ocon from Saturday onwards in Mexico. The Japanese driver finished tenth on Sunday to score a point on his own F1 debut, with the final classification taking account of post-race penalties.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu said Haas had informed Ocon that he would not regain the seat this year. He described the decision as being in the team’s interests and said discussions between the driver and the team would remain private. Haas has not provided a public explanation for the split.

The confirmed arrangement names Câmara for Brazil. Haas has yet to announce who will drive the car at the final three scheduled rounds in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The São Paulo weekend begins with practice on Friday, followed by qualifying on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday, 8 November.