Rafael Câmara makes F1 debut with Haas in Brazil
Brazilian driver Rafael Câmara will make his Formula 1 debut for Haas at the São Paulo Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Rafael Câmara will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas at the Interlagos circuit this weekend. The Brazilian driver, already contracted to the team for the 2027 season, steps into a race seat early following the premature departure of Esteban Ocon.
The change stems from a disagreement between Ocon and Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu. The decision to bench Ocon for the rest of 2026 followed a heated argument during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. Komatsu confirmed Ocon will not return to a race seat with the team this season.
Hirakawa replaces Ocon in Mexico
Ryo Hirakawa first assumed the vacant Haas driver position. The Japanese driver replaced Ocon from the third free practice session in Mexico and scored a point on his debut by finishing tenth. Haas fielded Hirakawa as a temporary replacement for that event.
Câmara leads F2 title battle
Câmara arrives for his debut while leading the Formula 2 championship standings. He is scheduled to participate in the Las Vegas Grand Prix on October 22nd, despite the event clashing with the Formula 2 season finale. The Haas team has confirmed his participation there.
His preparation for the step up includes five Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) outings. He completed four sessions in Ferrari's SF-25 and one in the Haas VF-25 at Portimao in August. Câmara has never driven a 2026-specification Formula 1 car.
Câmara and Bearman to drive in São Paulo
For the São Paulo Grand Prix, Rafael Câmara will drive alongside Ollie Bearman. A change of plans will see Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic take Câmara's place in the Friday morning FP1 session. It marks the first time two Brazilian drivers will be on the F1 grid at Interlagos since 2016, when Felipe Massa and Felipe Nasr competed.
Accounts differ on who will race in the remaining rounds at Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. It is not yet confirmed whether Câmara or Hirakawa will get the seat. Dalmo Hernandes commented on the debut, saying, "Que Câmara faça bonito em Interlagos e nos permita olhar com otimismo para a temporada de 2027."
