Esteban Ocon is DROPPED by Haas for rest of the F1 season after row – with Rafael Camara replacing outgoing driver

Esteban Ocon will not race for the rest of the F1 season after being dropped by Haas ahead of his already-announced exit.

Brazilian rookie Rafael Camara will take his seat for the remaining races – with the Ferrari academy driver previously confirmed to replace the Frenchman for the 2027 term.

Now Camara’s F1 bow will take place this weekend at his home race as he steps in to partner British driver Ollie Bearman.

Haas’ statement on Esteban Ocon

In a statement on Tuesday night, Haas said: ‘TGR Haas F1 Team can confirm that Esteban Ocon will no longer compete on its behalf in the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

‘Rafael Camara will now partner Ollie Bearman in the team at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Rafael will make his Formula 1 debut on home-soil this year having last month been announced as one of TGR Haas F1 Team’s full-time driver signings for the 2027 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.’

Ocon, who was due to leave the team at the end of the campaign, was demoted for last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix after a row with Haas’ hierarchy.

No official reason was given as to why Ocon was dropped in Mexico City but Ocon responded to reports of an altercation by denying he had been violent, but admitted to a disagreement with team bosses.

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu refused to answer questions on what had happened with Ocon when he was live on Sky Sports on Saturday of the Mexico race.

The Japanese boss said the issue remains an ‘internal matter’.

He said: ‘Such decisions are never made lightly, as was the case in Mexico City – but then, as now, we feel this is firmly in the best interest of the team moving forward.

‘The conversations that ultimately unfolded between the team and Esteban remain an internal matter, and we will continue to respect the private nature of closed-door situations.

‘Looking ahead, we’ve chosen Rafael Camara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.’

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