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Rafael Camara to Make F1 Debut at Brazil GP as Esteban Ocon Exits Haas

Haas has announced that Esteban Ocon will not compete in the remaining races of the 2026 season, with Rafael Camara set to debut at his home race in Brazil this weekend. The decision follows ongoing tensions between Ocon and the team, culminating in a heated dispute during the Mexican Grand Prix.

After the incident in Mexico City, team principal Ayao Komatsu decided to bench Ocon, who is currently a free agent for 2027. Reserve driver and Toyota protégé Ryo Hirakawa stepped in from Saturday onwards in Mexico, finishing tenth and earning a point on his debut.

"We have now notified Esteban Ocon that he will not return to a race seat with TGR Haas F1 Team this season," Komatsu stated. "Decisions like this are never easy, but after what happened in Mexico City, we believe it is in the best interest of the team. Discussions with Esteban remain private, and we respect their confidential nature."

Camara Accelerates His F1 Start

Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, already signed for Haas in 2027, will take over the VF-26 car for the Interlagos event. Currently leading the Formula 2 championship, Camara impressed Haas during private tests, prompting an early call-up ahead of schedule.

Although the official green light came Tuesday afternoon, Camara was on standby during the Mexican GP weekend following Ocon’s sudden removal. Haas fielded Hirakawa temporarily while considering options for the rest of the season.

It remains unclear if Camara or Hirakawa will race in the final rounds at Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi; the team may use both drivers.

Preparation Despite Limited Experience with 2026 Car

Camara has never driven a current 2026 F1 car, but he won’t face his high-pressure debut unprepared. This year, he completed five Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions: four in Ferrari’s SF-25 and one in Haas’ VF-25.

The VF-25 test took place in August at Portimao, Portugal, convincing Haas of his natural talent.

"Looking ahead, we’ve chosen Rafael Camara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix," Komatsu confirmed. "Having excelled in his TPC outing in August, we trust Rafael’s abilities and look forward to welcoming him to the team for his F1 debut driving the VF-26 in Brazil."

Impact on Ferrari’s Driver Lineup

Camara's promotion also affects Ferrari’s Friday morning FP1 sessions. Instead of Camara, Swedish driver Dino Beganovic will get time behind the wheel of the Maranello car, offering him further experience.

  • Driver change: Esteban Ocon out for the remainder of 2026
  • Debut race: Rafael Camara at 2026 Brazil GP
  • Reserve driver: Ryo Hirakawa scored 10th place in Mexico GP
  • F2 standings: Rafael Camara currently leads
  • Previous testing: Camara tested Ferrari SF-25 (4 times) and Haas VF-25 (once)
  • Upcoming races: Unclear if Camara or Hirakawa will race at Las Vegas, Qatar, Abu Dhabi

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