Getty Images/Haas
Rafael Câmara will replace Esteban Ocon at Haas. The young Brazilian, who already has a contract with the American team for the 2027 season, will become the second home driver on the grid at Interlagos. Haas confirmed on Tuesday evening that Câmara will partner Ollie Bearman for what promises to be the most incredible weekend of his short racing career.
Haas confirmed on Tuesday evening that Ocon is no longer a driver for the Banbury-based team. The Frenchman has officially and definitively been dismissed. The team also confirmed that young Brazilian Rafael Câmara will contest the full weekend in São Paulo.
“TGR Haas F1 Team can confirm that Esteban Ocon will no longer compete on its behalf in the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.” Haas wrote in its press statement.
The American team made no further mention of Ocon in its statement, but team boss Ayao Komatsu devoted a substantial part of his comments to the Frenchman. “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 – but then, as now, we feel this is firmly in the best interest of the team moving forward,” team principal Ayao Komatsu said in the statement.
“The conversations that ultimately unfolded between the team and Esteban remain an internal matter, and we will continue to respect the private nature of closed-door situations,” the Japanese engineer stressed.
Young Brazilian Câmara will therefore be Ollie Bearman’s team-mate this coming weekend. Haas has not confirmed whether he will race in Las Vegas or for the rest of the season. According to Brazilian broadcaster Globo, Rafa will race in São Paulo and Las Vegas, but Ryo Hirakawa will return to the cockpit in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The American team has not confirmed any of this, however.
For now, all we know is that Câmara will contest the São Paulo weekend with Haas, and nothing more. “Looking ahead, we’ve chosen Rafael Câmara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the São Paulo Grand Prix,” said Komatsu.
“Having excelled in his TPC outing in August, we know Rafa’s capabilities and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the team this weekend and working with him through his Formula 1 debut driving the VF-26 in Brazil,” Ayao added.