Camara to make F1 debut at Brazilian Grand Prix with Haas

Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut for Haas at the Brazilian Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon, whose exit was unexpected. The Brazilian is the first driver to make a debut on home soil since Markus Winkelhock at the Nürburgring in 2007. Camara has never raced at Interlagos and has not yet taken part in a grand prix weekend.

He was originally scheduled to run in first practice for Ferrari, in place of Charles Leclerc, who is arriving late following the birth of his daughter. Camara's only previous F1 running came in a Testing of Previous Cars outing for Haas in Portugal in August, which helped secure his 2027 seat with the team. He is currently leading the Formula 2 standings, with the final events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi still to come.

Camara said he would never have expected a first race in Brazil so late in the season. He added that his plans beyond this weekend have not been decided and will be discussed after the event.