Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas at the São Paulo Grand Prix, stepping into the seat alongside Ollie Bearman. The Brazilian’s appearance comes earlier than planned after the team confirmed Esteban Ocon will not race for it again this season.
Ocon had already announced that he would leave Haas at the end of the season. Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa replaced him at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he finished tenth and scored a point. Hirakawa’s existing World Endurance Championship commitments this weekend opened the opportunity for Camara to race at his home event.
Camara, a Ferrari junior and the Formula 2 standings leader, is signed to Haas for 2027. He has won titles in the Formula Regional European Championship and Formula 3, and impressed the team during a test in its 2025 car in August.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said the decision not to return Ocon to the race seat was made in the team’s interests. He added that the conversations with Ocon would remain private, and said Haas was looking forward to working with Camara during his debut in Brazil.
Sources: Formula 1.