Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
Haas drops Ocon and gives Camara his F1 debut in Brazil
Haas has ended Esteban Ocon’s race role for the rest of 2026 after he was taken out of the lineup during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
Rafael Camara will replace him at the São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, alongside Ollie Bearman.
The 21-year-old Brazilian currently leads the Formula 2 championship and was already signed to join Haas in 2027.
Ocon had been replaced in Mexico by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, who scored a point, but Hirakawa has other racing commitments this weekend.
Camara’s debut comes earlier than planned and at his home race at Interlagos.
Haas has not confirmed who will drive in the remaining races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi; Camara’s F2 title campaign may affect his availability.
Haas has ended Esteban Ocon’s 2026 season and named Rafael Camara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The move brings forward Camara’s planned arrival, as he had been signed to join Haas for 2027.
Ocon was replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
Ocon denied reports of physical violence but acknowledged a disagreement with team bosses.
Haas said its discussions with Ocon were an internal matter and that the decision was in the team’s best interests.
- Who
- Haas, Esteban Ocon and Rafael Camara.
- What
- Haas ended Ocon’s season and selected Camara to drive in Brazil.
- When
- Announced on November 3, 2026, ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
- Where
- The Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil.
- Why
- Haas said the decision was in the team’s best interests; it described its discussions with Ocon as an internal matter.
Haas
Esteban Ocon
Reason for the change
Haas
Haas said the decision was in the team’s best interests and that discussions with Ocon remained an internal matter.
Esteban Ocon
Ocon acknowledged a disagreement with team bosses but denied that physical violence was used.
Ocon was replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa during the event.
Haas confirmed Ocon would not return to a race seat this season.
Rafael Camara is set to make his Formula 1 debut at his home race.
- Outgoing driver
- Esteban Ocon
- Brazil replacement
- Rafael Camara
- Brazil teammate
- Ollie Bearman
- Haas team principal
- Ayao Komatsu
- Planned Haas signing
- Camara was announced as a full-time driver for 2027.
10 sources
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What people are saying
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.
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.
I categorically reject any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences of any nature.