Haas Names Câmara for Brazilian Grand Prix
Rafael Câmara, 21, will replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for the race at Interlagos on Sunday, November 8.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Motorsports
Haas will field Rafael Câmara, 21, in place of Esteban Ocon at the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Haas announced the move two days after the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Ryo Hirakawa replaced Ocon.
Why it matters
Ocon left the team after reports surfaced of a physical altercation with team principal Ayao Komatsu, which Ocon has denied. Câmara leads the F2 standings by seven points with two races remaining and has been given a one-year contract for 2027.
Câmara leads the F2 standings by seven points with two races left, while Haas holds a four-point edge over Audi in the team championship before Brazil. Whether Brazil is a one-off outing for Câmara has not been decided.
The players
Rafael Câmara
A 21-year-old Brazilian driver leading the F2 standings, who has been given a one-year Haas contract for 2027.
Esteban Ocon
The Haas driver who left the team after reports of a physical altercation with team principal Ayao Komatsu, which Ocon denies.
Ayao Komatsu
The Haas team principal named in reports concerning Ocon's departure from the team.
Gabriel Bortoleto
A 22-year-old Brazilian driver for Audi who is currently 14th in the drivers' championship with 14 points.
The details
Haas announced the change two days after the Mexico City Grand Prix, replacing Ocon with Câmara for the Brazilian race. Hirakawa, who scored points with a 10th-place finish in Mexico, is unavailable for Brazil due to a prior Toyota commitment in the World Endurance Championship finale.
Timeline
Two days after the Mexico City Grand Prix: Haas announces Câmara replacing Ocon.
Thursday before the race: Câmara speaks at a press conference about the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Sunday, November 8, 2026: Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Season Trajectory
Haas is making back-to-back driver changes, with Hirakawa replacing Ocon in Mexico and Câmara now taking over for Brazil. The team's four-point lead over Audi in the constructors' standings makes these final races consequential for the competitive balance between the two teams.
For fantasy and standings watchers, Haas's four-point lead over Audi and Bortoleto's 14th-place position make the remaining races directly relevant to constructor outcomes. The Brazilian result will also show whether Câmara's F2 form carries over to F1 for the team's 2027 plans.
The takeaway
Driver changes at Haas this late in the season put pressure on the team's constructors' battle with Audi, and Câmara's performance at Interlagos will be an early signal of his readiness for a longer F1 role.
What happens next
Câmara is set to race at Interlagos on Sunday, November 8, 2026, and his decision on whether Brazil will be a one-off appearance is still pending.
Further reading
For more on the teams and drivers shaping the season, see Motorsports.
