Esteban Ocon Will Not Race For Haas Again This Season

Haas has confirmed Esteban Ocon will not race for the team again this season, with Formula 2 championship leader Rafael Camara set to make his Formula 1 debut at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The move brings forward Camara’s step into the team: Haas had already announced him as Ocon’s replacement from the start of 2027.

The French driver was dropped midway through the Mexico round, and the American-owned team did not explain why. Ryo Hirakawa replaced him from Saturday onward, but Hirakawa is racing in the World Endurance Championship in Italy this weekend.

Why Ocon will not race for Haas

Haas said Ocon will no longer compete on its behalf in the 2026 FIA Formula 1 world championship. Team principal Ayao Komatsu described the decision as being in the team’s best interest moving forward, while saying conversations between the team and Ocon remain an internal matter.

Komatsu had declined to answer questions about what happened when he appeared on Sky Sports during Saturday of the Mexico race. He said then that the issue was an internal matter. Haas has not provided a public explanation for removing Ocon for the remainder of the season.

The team said it selected Camara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman in Sao Paulo. The Brazilian is the current Formula 2 championship leader and had been signed to replace Ocon for 2027. His first Formula 1 start therefore comes earlier than previously planned, at his home race.

Haas has not confirmed who will drive in the final three scheduled races: Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The source report says the team has not announced those lineups, leaving the seats beyond Sao Paulo unresolved.

Haas changes its lineup before Sao Paulo

Hirakawa stepped in for Ocon at the Mexico City Grand Prix and finished 10th. He was awarded a point on his Formula 1 debut after post-race penalties for McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.

Haas announced last month that Ocon would leave at the end of this season after two years with the squad. The team had named Camara as his 2027 replacement. The Sao Paulo decision changes the timing of that handover, while keeping Bearman as Camara’s teammate for this weekend.

The schedule begins Thursday, November 5, with the Drivers’ Press Conference at 5pm and Paddock Uncut at 8pm. Friday’s first practice starts at 3.30pm, following a 3pm broadcast build-up. Practice Two starts at 7pm after its 6.45pm build-up; the Team Bosses’ Press Conference is at 5.30pm, followed by The F1 Show Saturday November at 8.15pm.

On Saturday, Practice Three starts at 2.30pm after a 2.15pm build-up. Qualifying coverage begins at 5pm, with qualifying scheduled for 6pm and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 8pm. Sunday’s Grand Prix Sunday build-up starts at 3.30pm, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix is scheduled for 5pm, and Chequered Flag reaction follows at 7pm, with Ted’s Notebook at 8pm.

Sky Sports says the race weekend is live on Sky Sports F1, and the Sao Paulo Grand Prix is also listed on Sky Sports Main Event. The next confirmed step for Haas is Camara’s debut alongside Bearman in Sao Paulo; the team has yet to name its drivers for the final three rounds.