Rafael Camara's Bold Advice to Himself Before His F1 Debut

Rafael Camara ready for his baptism of fire at home: "Enjoy, have fun and learn."

That is the message the 21-year-old Brazilian has for himself as he prepares to make his Formula 1 debut this weekend at the São Paulo Grand Prix.

Camara will drive for Haas at Interlagos, replacing Esteban Ocon in the cockpit alongside Ollie Bearman.

The call came late — but just early enough.

"I was very surprised," Camara said on Thursday, November 5, from the paddock.

"It wasn't where anyone expected me to make my Formula 1 debut, but I'm very happy with this opportunity."

His debut was originally scheduled for 2027, when he is set to join Haas as a full-time race driver.

That plan changed when Esteban Ocon was withdrawn from the Mexican Grand Prix lineup.

In Mexico, Haas used reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, who was unavailable for São Paulo because he was competing in the WEC finale at Monza.

Haas then turned to Camara, a Ferrari Driver Academy member since 2021 and the current leader of the Formula 2 championship.

Camara leads the F2 standings with 207 points, seven points ahead of Bulgarian driver Nikola Tsolov, who sits second with 200 points.

Two race weekends remain in the Formula 2 season: Qatar (November 27–29) and Abu Dhabi (December 4–6).

When asked whether he will finish the F2 season and defend his title lead, Camara did not give a direct answer.

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

That uncertainty has placed a spotlight on the F2 championship battle.

If Camara skips the remaining rounds, Tsolov could close the gap or overtake him without a direct fight.

For now, Camara is focused entirely on his first Formula 1 race weekend.

"I'm also very grateful to the team for putting their faith in me for this weekend," he said.

"Now I'm going to try and enjoy this home race and have fun."

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

"With these simulator sessions, I think it should be fine," he said.

"We've had three sessions, and we can build from there."

He has not yet driven a 2026-spec Formula 1 car, but that does not seem to trouble him.

"When you're fitting the seat, until you've actually driven it, there are always some doubts," Camara said.

"But as always, you just have to get used to the position, and then get used to it."

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

He joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022 after a standout junior career.

In 2024, he won the Formula Regional European Championship, breaking records along the way.

In 2025, he won the Formula 3 championship, becoming the first driver to clinch the title at the penultimate round.

Now he leads the Formula 2 championship with three Feature Race wins to his name.

His junior record and a strong test in an old-spec Haas earned him a full-time F1 seat for 2027.

This weekend, he gets an early taste of that future.

"I was already training, so there was nothing I had to adapt to, but it was obviously a big surprise," Camara said.

"When Esteban was replaced for Mexico, there was a chance it could happen here, but nothing was certain."

"After the confirmation that I was going to have the opportunity to play this weekend, it was a pleasant surprise."

He learned of the decision "late enough, but early enough to be able to prepare and be ready for the week."

Camara's debut is particularly special because it takes place at Interlagos, in front of a home crowd.

"I'm trying to enjoy my home race and have fun on the track," he said.

Haas confirmed that Camara will replace Esteban Ocon for the São Paulo Grand Prix, which takes place on November 8, 2026.

The American team had already announced Camara as one of its race drivers for the 2027 season.