Haas ends Ocon's 2026 race role and names Camara for Sao Paulo

Haas has confirmed that Esteban Ocon will not return to its race line-up for the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season, BBC Sport reported on Tuesday. Brazilian rookie Rafael Camara will replace the Frenchman at this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix, bringing forward his race opportunity with the team.

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Camara has already been signed by Haas for 2027, according to the BBC. His selection for the Brazilian event follows a different replacement arrangement in Mexico City, where Japanese reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa took over from Ocon. Haas has not announced who will fill the seat at the races following Sao Paulo.

The team's latest decision extends an exclusion that began during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. Ocon took part in Friday practice but was stood down on Saturday morning. The BBC reported that he had disputed tyre choice with race engineer Laura Mueller during the second practice session before losing his place for the remainder of that weekend.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu said in a statement on Tuesday that Ocon had been informed he would not race for Haas again this season. Komatsu described both the Mexico City decision and the subsequent move as difficult, but said the team considered them to be in its interests. He did not disclose the substance of the discussions.

The circumstances surrounding Ocon's removal have not been fully explained publicly. Haas has provided no details about what led to the Mexico decision, while Komatsu said conversations with the driver would remain private. Ocon acknowledged in his own statement that differing views had prompted a discussion, but categorically denied reports or allegations that physical violence had been involved.

Ocon's departure from the race seat interrupts a career that, according to the BBC, has included 198 grand prix appearances and one victory since his 2016 debut. For Haas, the immediate confirmed change is Camara's inclusion in Sao Paulo. The announcement settles Ocon's position for the rest of 2026 without resolving the team's full driver allocation for the remaining events.