F1 2026: Rafael Camara Might Skip Remaining F2 Races To Drive for Haas

Haas recently announced Rafael Camara's Formula 1 debut in the São Paulo Grand Prix. However, it comes with certain implications, particularly for Camara's current title bid in Formula 2. 

F1 journalist Adam Cooper reported that Camara is "unlikely to return" to F2, which means skipping the series' remaining two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi (should these Middle East races push through). 

Camara, who competes for Invicta Racing, is currently leading the F2 championship by seven points over Campos Racing's Nikola Tsolov and 18 points over Rodin Motorsport's Alex Dunne. If this happens, Freddie Slater, who's coming over from Formula 3, might sub in for Camara's seat.

It would be a shame not to see Camara finish his title bid, but it would be understandable. Every racing driver's ultimate goal is to race in F1, and he would want to focus on helping Haas secure seventh place in the Constructors' Championship. Audi, their nearest rival, scored four points during the Mexican Grand Prix, trimming Haas' lead to just four points. 

That seventh place is very important for Haas, as it means more money to spend for 2027, putting them in a better position to climb more places in the midfield. And, of course, this will now be important for Camara, too. 

Esteban Ocon, who will be permanently replaced by Camara in 2027, got the early axe after a chaotic weekend in Mexico City. Apparently, Ocon got into an argument with the team about what tyres to use in Free Practice 2, which might have escalated and involved their team principal, Ayao Komatsu, as well. 

Haas decided to sit out Ocon for the remainder of the weekend, putting reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa in the Frenchman's car. Amazingly, Hirakawa finished P10 in the Sunday race (after post-race penalties were applied), scoring the team's sole point in Mexico.

Now, Haas has decided to sit out Ocon for the remainder of the season as well. It's unfortunate, as this might have an impact on Ocon's bid for another F1 seat in the near future.

As of now, Haas has only confirmed Camara's appearance in the São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. It's still unclear whether the young Brazilian driver will also race in the rest of the F1 races this year. Hirakawa, or Haas' other reserve driver Jack Doohan, might still get the call-up in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

Still, this weekend in Brazil will be very exciting for Camara. He joins fellow countryman Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi in racing in their home country, which is quite the spectacle for an F1 debutant.