Haas has dropped Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship season, with 21-year-old Rafael Camara stepping in to replace him from this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The team confirmed the driver change in an official statement released on Tuesday evening, announcing that Camara will partner Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Camara to make F1 debut in Brazil
Camara will make his Formula 1 debut on home soil this weekend, having last month been announced as one of the team's full-time driver signings for the 2027 championship.
The statement read: "TGR Haas F1 Team can confirm that Esteban Ocon will no longer compete on its behalf in the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Rafael Camara will now partner Ollie Bearman in the team at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Rafael will make his Formula 1 debut on home-soil this year having last month been announced as one of TGR Haas F1 Team's full-time driver signings for the 2027 FIA Formula 1 World Championship."
Team principal explains decision
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu addressed the reasoning behind the decision to swap Ocon for Camara.
Komatsu said: "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."
Further details are expected to follow as the story develops.
