Haas names Camara for Sao Paulo; Ocon will not race for the team again this season

Haas has named Rafael Camara to race alongside Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, bringing forward the Brazilian’s Formula 1 debut. The team confirmed Esteban Ocon will not return to its race seat this season.

Camara is a Ferrari junior and leader of the Formula 2 standings, and he is signed to Haas for 2027. His debut had originally been planned for later, but pre-existing World Endurance Championship commitments over the Sao Paulo weekend opened the door for him to make it at his home event. Camara impressed Haas in August during a test of its 2025 car.

Ocon had already announced he would leave Haas at the end of the season. Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa replaced him during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend; Hirakawa finished 10th and scored a point in his first race for the team.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu said discussions with Ocon would remain internal and that Haas considered the decision to be in the team’s best interests. He said Haas looked forward to working with Camara through his debut in the VF-26.