Rafael Câmara Debuts for Haas at São Paulo After Ocon Exit

Overview

• Haas removed Esteban Ocon after internal disagreements and advanced Rafael Câmara’s debut, with Câmara completing practice runs and improving between sessions on Friday.
• Câmara logged 18th in the first practice and improved to 15th/16th in the second session as he learned the 2026 VF‑26 and Interlagos’ layout.
• Race stewards issued Câmara a formal reprimand for closing on Charles Leclerc in the second practice but did not impose a grid penalty.
• Multiple front‑running drivers accepted power‑unit component changes that carry grid penalties, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez set to start at the back and Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc each losing ten places.
• Formula 1 and São Paulo officials confirmed an early contract extension keeping the Grand Prix at Interlagos through 2035, and Câmara’s arrival restores two Brazilians on the grid for the first time since 2016 while giving a key development opportunity before his full 2027 season.