Rafael Câmara will line up for Haas at his home grand prix this weekend, months before the 21-year-old Brazilian was due to begin his Formula 1 career.

The Ferrari Driver Academy member had already signed to join the American team as a full-time race driver from 2027. Instead, his debut will come at Interlagos, after Haas confirmed on Wednesday that Esteban Ocon will not return to a race seat for the rest of the current season.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu did not spell out what has pushed the Frenchman out for good, keeping the specifics internal.

“We have now notified Esteban Ocon that he will not return to a race seat with TGR Haas F1 Team this season,” Komatsu said in the team’s statement.

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From a Mexico stand-in to a permanent exit

Ocon, 30, was pulled from the Haas mid-weekend in Mexico City and replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa. Hirakawa picked up a point on his own F1 debut, promoted to 10th after post-race penalties for other drivers.

Hirakawa would have been the natural pick for Brazil as well, but the Japanese driver is in title contention at the World Endurance Championship season finale at Monza this weekend, which clashes directly with the São Paulo Grand Prix. That diary clash has opened the door for Câmara.

A Ferrari protégé ready earlier than planned

The call-up is not quite the shock it looks. Câmara joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022 and has worked his way up the junior ladder: the Formula Regional European Championship with Prema in 2024, then the FIA Formula 3 title with Trident as a rookie in 2025, sealed with a round to spare.

In Formula 2 he leads the standings with three wins and seven podiums heading into the final rounds.

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He has also been accumulating F1 mileage through Testing of Previous Cars programmes with both Ferrari and Haas this year. It was a three-day Haas run in the 2025-spec VF-25 at Portimão in August, alongside Hirakawa and Leonardo Fornaroli, that convinced the team of his readiness.

“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.

Interlagos, then Las Vegas

Câmara will partner Oliver Bearman at Interlagos on 6-8 November, and will stay in the car for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 20-22 November. Hirakawa is expected back for the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, while Haas works out who will line up alongside Bearman full-time for 2027.

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