Rafael Câmara makes his F1 debut for Haas at the São Paulo Grand Prix, Ocon will not return this season

Rafael Câmara will make his Formula 1 debut for Haas at the São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend. The team confirmed on Tuesday evening that the Ferrari junior and Formula 2 leader partners Ollie Bearman at Interlagos, his home race, and that Esteban Ocon will not return to a race seat with Haas this season.

Session times for the weekend: São Paulo Grand Prix 2026 start times.

“Firmly in the best interests of the team”

Team principal Ayao Komatsu’s statement, published by formula1.com, settled Ocon’s future in one line: “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,” Komatsu said, adding that “we feel this is firmly in the best interests of the team moving forward.” On what happened between the two sides he gave nothing away: “The conversations that ultimately unfolded between the team and Esteban remain an internal matter.”

Haas had already taken Ocon out of the car on the Saturday morning of the Mexico City Grand Prix, without giving a reason (Haas drops Ocon in Mexico City). The Frenchman was due to leave the team at the end of 2026 anyway.

Komatsu: “We know Rafa’s capabilities”

Câmara was already signed as Ocon’s replacement for 2027 (Ocon leaves Haas, Câmara in for 2027). His debut now comes earlier than planned. “Looking ahead, we’ve chosen Rafael Camara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,” Komatsu said, adding that “having excelled in his TPC outing in August, we know Rafa’s capabilities”.

That outing was a test in Haas’s 2025 car. The Brazilian has won the Formula Regional European Championship and Formula 3, and he leads the Formula 2 standings. His career so far: Rafael Câmara profile.

Hirakawa goes to Monza

The decision also answers the question of the week. According to formula1.com, Câmara’s chance came because of “pre-existing commitments in the World Endurance Championship” this weekend. Ryo Hirakawa, who replaced Ocon in Mexico City and finished tenth to score a point on his debut, is part of the #8 Toyota crew with Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley that leads the WEC by 17 points before Sunday’s 6 Hours of Monza (Hirakawa: Interlagos or Monza?, WEC Monza schedule).

Our hunch

This is the right call for everyone. Hirakawa gets his shot at a third world title, Haas gets extra race experience for the driver it has already chosen for 2027, and Interlagos gets a second Brazilian on the grid alongside Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto. The pressure on Câmara will be enormous: his first race in the VF-26, at home, with the whole circuit watching. Expect the grandstands to carry him anyway.

First practice on Friday at 12:30 local, the race on Sunday at 14:00

Câmara’s first session in the VF-26 is first practice on Friday at 12:30 local time (16:30 CET, 10:30 ET). Qualifying follows on Saturday at 15:00 local (19:00 CET, 13:00 ET) and the race on Sunday at 14:00 local, 18:00 CET and 12:00 ET. All results go on our São Paulo Grand Prix 2026 results page.

Sources: TGR Haas F1 Team statement via formula1.com (3 November 2026); formula1.com classification of the Mexico City Grand Prix.

How far can Câmara go on his home debut at Interlagos: points, or just a clean first race? Tell us in the comments.