Haas has dropped Esteban Ocon for the rest of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and Rafael Camara will make his F1 debut in his place at the São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend.
The 21-year-old Brazilian was already signed to replace Ocon in 2027. His first race now comes a year early, on home soil at Interlagos.
Why Ocon is out
Ocon was stood down on the Saturday morning of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, after a dispute with the team on the Friday. Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa took his car and scored a point on debut by finishing 10th.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed on Tuesday that Ocon will not return to a race seat with Haas this year. He said "such decisions are never made lightly" and that the team believed the move was in its best interests.
Haas has not said what happened between Ocon and the team in Mexico. Komatsu said those conversations would stay an internal matter.
Who is Rafael Camara?
Camara is a member of Ferrari's young driver programme and leads the Formula 2 standings. He won the Formula Regional European Championship in 2024 and the FIA Formula 3 title in 2025.
He has never raced a 2026 F1 car. He impressed Haas in an older-car test in its 2025 machine at Portimão in August, and will partner Oliver Bearman at Interlagos.
What happens next
Haas has only named Camara for Brazil. It has not said who will drive its second car at the last three races, in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Every point matters for the team. Haas is seventh in the constructors' championship on 31 points, four ahead of Audi.
The São Paulo Grand Prix starts at 10:30pm India time on Sunday 8 November. First practice begins at 9:00pm on Friday.
Race it on Late Brake
Interlagos is one of six real circuits in Late Brake, the free browser game. Learn the track before Camara does on Friday: switch on the racing line, then chase the medal times and race your own ghost.
Sources: BBC Sport, Autosport, The Race, Formula 1, Formula 1 constructors' standings, Wikipedia, Wikipedia 2026 season