Haas rookie Camara breaks silence on bitter F2 rivalry.

Rafael Camara, the 21-year-old Brazilian rookie set to make his Formula 1 debut for Haas at the São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, has broken his silence on the bitter Formula 2 title battle he may leave unfinished.

Camara currently leads the Formula 2 championship standings with 207 points.

Nikola Tsolov is second, just seven points behind with 200.

Two race weekends remain in the F2 calendar: Qatar from November 27 to 29, and Abu Dhabi from December 4 to 6.

When asked on the eve of the Interlagos weekend whether he would take part in those remaining rounds, Camara gave an answer that left the championship in doubt.

“I think that is something that is still to come and remains in the future,” he said.

He did not confirm whether he would defend his lead until the end of the season.

Haas confirmed that Camara will replace Esteban Ocon in the lineup for the São Paulo Grand Prix, which takes place on November 8.

This means the 21-year-old will make his first Formula 1 start in front of his home crowd at Interlagos.

Camara had already been announced as one of Haas’s race drivers for the 2027 season.

His Formula 1 debut was initially expected to come next year.

But the team’s decision to end Ocon’s involvement during the 2026 season opened the door for the Brazilian to appear earlier.

Before him, Haas’s vacant seat for the Mexican Grand Prix was filled by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.

Hirakawa was unavailable for São Paulo because he was at Monza for the WEC finale.

For the São Paulo race, the American team chose Camara, who has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021.

Camara described his Formula 1 debut as a great opportunity.

He said he was “extremely happy” with Haas’s confidence in him.

“I’m trying to enjoy my home race and have fun on the track,” said the Brazilian.

Camara’s possible absence from the remaining F2 rounds would directly alter the title battle.

Tsolov, a Bulgarian driver, is currently defending second place in the standings.

The gap between the two is just seven points.

Camara was very surprised by the sudden call-up.

“I was very surprised. It wasn’t where anyone expected me to make my Formula 1 debut, but I’m very happy with this opportunity,” he said on Thursday, November 5.

“I’m also very grateful to the team for putting their faith in me for this weekend. Now I’m going to try and enjoy this home race and have fun.”

He said he learned about the opportunity “late enough, but early enough to be able to prepare and be ready for the week.”

Camara completed several simulator sessions with Ferrari before arriving in Brazil.

“With these simulator sessions, I think it should be fine. We’ve had three sessions, and we can build from there,” he said.

He has not yet driven a 2026 model Formula 1 car.

“When you’re fitting the seat, until you’ve actually driven it, there are always some doubts. But as always, you just have to get used to the position, and then get used to the car,” he explained.

Camara’s junior career is remarkable.

He was born on May 5, 2005, in Recife, Brazil.

Ferrari snapped him up to join their Driver Academy in 2022.

He broke records on his way to winning the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship.

He repeated the feat the next year in Formula 3, becoming the first driver in the series to clinch the title at the penultimate round.

Now he leads the Formula 2 standings with three Feature Race wins.

His record in junior formulae and a spectacular showing at a test in an old-spec Haas earned him a full-time F1 seat at the American squad for 2027.