Esteban Ocon will not race for Haas again this season, with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara handed his Formula 1 debut at his home São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend.
Haas confirmed the decision early on Wednesday, Australian time, days after benching the Frenchman midway through the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. Camara, who had already been signed to replace Ocon from 2027, will partner Ollie Bearman at Interlagos, Motorsport.com reported.
“We have now notified Esteban Ocon that he will not return to a race seat with TGR Haas F1 Team this season,” team principal Ayao Komatsu said in a statement carried by The Race and Motorsport.com.
“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,” Komatsu said.
What happened in Mexico
Haas replaced Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa from final practice in Mexico City on Saturday 31 October, saying in a team statement that “no further statements will be made at this time”. Komatsu told Sky Sports F1: “I can’t tell you much but I can tell you he’s not ill.”
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Ocon had questioned a change to his tyre plan over team radio during second practice on Friday, and The Race reported that an attempt to discuss the matter that evening led to a confrontation. Ocon said in a statement that a “difference in viewpoints” had led to a discussion and “categorically rejected any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used”, BBC Sport reported. Haas has not said what occurred.
Hirakawa, a two-time World Endurance Championship winner with Toyota, went on to score a point on his F1 debut by finishing 10th in the race.
Camara’s early chance
Camara, a Brazilian member of the Ferrari Driver Academy who leads the Formula 2 standings, has never driven a 2026 F1 car. He has completed five testing outings in older cars this season, including one in a Haas at Portimão in August that helped convince the team of his ability, according to Motorsport.com.
“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,” Komatsu said.
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Camara had been due to drive for Ferrari in first practice at Interlagos. That session will now go to Dino Beganovic, Motorsport.com reported.
Haas has not yet confirmed who will drive the second car at the last three rounds in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with Motorsport.com reporting it is likely to be a combination of Camara and Hirakawa.
Where it leaves Ocon and Doohan
Ocon, a grand prix winner, was already leaving Haas at the end of the season and does not yet have a seat for 2027.
The change is another setback for Australian Jack Doohan, Haas’s test and reserve driver, who missed out to Camara for the 2027 race seat in October.
The São Paulo Grand Prix runs from Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November.
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