Rafael Camara to make Haas F1 debut at home São Paulo Grand Prix

Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut for Haas at his home São Paulo Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon at Interlagos.

Haas announced Camara last month as Ocon's replacement for 2027, but has brought forward the change. The team ended Ocon's season and his time with Haas during the Mexico weekend, putting Ryo Hirakawa in the car for the remainder of that event.

“I think I would never expect to do a first race here in Brazil in Formula 1,” said Camara, the new Haas driver.

“I mean, [my] preparation was not the normal one. I was already here in Brazil when I got the news,” said Camara.

Camara did some preparation with Ferrari for FP1 and track work. He expects the three practice sessions to give him time to adapt before qualifying.

“I can give you a bit more information after FP1, but I think it will be a weekend that I’m just trying to really focus on things that I can control, focus on my job, and really just trying to grow in the weekend,” said Camara.

Haas teammate Ollie Bearman expects the weather to make the weekend difficult. “Of course, I’ll be trying to help him out as much as possible,” said Bearman.

Camara, 21, has previously driven Formula 1 machinery with Ferrari and Haas but has never participated in a Grand Prix weekend. He and Bearman were both members of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Camara leads the Formula 2 championship, having won the Formula 3 title in his rookie season the previous year.