Camara to make F1 debut for Haas in Sao Paulo

Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut for Haas at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the team has confirmed. The Brazilian, a Ferrari junior and the Formula 2 standings leader, will drive the VF-26 alongside Ollie Bearman.

Haas also said Esteban Ocon will not return to a race seat with the team this season. Ocon had already announced he would leave Haas at the end of the year, and he was replaced over the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, who scored a point in his first race for the team.

Why Camara gets the seat

Camara is already signed to Haas for 2027, so the call-up brings his debut forward to his home race. Pre-existing World Endurance Championship commitments this weekend opened the door for the change.

He has won titles in the Formula Regional European Championship and Formula 3, and impressed in Haas' 2025 car during a Testing of Previous Cars test in August.

What Haas said

Team principal Ayao Komatsu said the team had notified Ocon that he will not return to a race seat this year. He called such decisions never lightly made, as in Mexico City, and said the team felt this one was firmly in its best interests moving forward. The conversations between the team and Ocon, he said, remain an internal matter.

Komatsu said the team had chosen Camara to drive alongside Bearman in Sao Paulo, and that his August test showed what he is capable of. He said Haas was looking forward to welcoming him this weekend and working with him through his debut in Brazil.

What we know so far

• Camara races in Brazil as Bearman's team-mate.
• Bearman keeps his seat.
• Ocon will not return to a Haas race seat this season.
• Hirakawa drove in Mexico City as Ocon's replacement.