Haas ends Ocon’s 2026 race role as Câmara gets São Paulo debut

Haas has confirmed that Esteban Ocon will not race for the team again in the 2026 Formula 1 season, naming Rafael Câmara alongside Ollie Bearman for the São Paulo Grand Prix. In its driver announcement, the team said the Brazilian would make his debut at his home event, scheduled for 6-8 November at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace.

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Team principal Ayao Komatsu said Ocon had been informed of the decision and described it as being in the team’s interests. Haas has not disclosed the details of the discussions behind the change. Komatsu said those conversations would remain private, leaving the team’s announcement focused on its racing line-up rather than an explanation of the disagreement.

The decision follows Ocon’s removal during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. According to BBC Sport, reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa replaced him on Saturday after the Frenchman had taken part in Friday practice. The broadcaster reported a disagreement over tyre choice with race engineer Laura Mueller during second practice, but Haas has not publicly detailed why it stood Ocon down.

Formula 1’s official website reported that Hirakawa finished tenth in Mexico, earning a point on his first race appearance for Haas. His existing World Endurance Championship commitments prevent him from taking the same role in Brazil this weekend. That has opened the seat to Câmara earlier than the team’s previously announced plan for him to join its full-time driver line-up in 2027.

Câmara arrives as the Formula 2 championship leader, with Formula Regional European Championship and Formula 3 titles already on his record, according to Formula 1’s report. The Ferrari junior also has experience of Haas machinery: he drove its 2025 car during an August test. Komatsu pointed to that performance when explaining the team’s confidence in giving him his first grand prix start.

For Ocon, the announcement closes off a return to the Haas cockpit this year after 198 grand prix appearances and one victory across his career, figures reported by BBC Sport. The broadcaster said Haas had not identified who would fill the seat at the remaining rounds after São Paulo. Câmara’s confirmed assignment is therefore the Brazilian event, while the later races remain unannounced.