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Verstappen and Alonso Advise Camara Ahead of F1 Debut
123Helmets Editorial Team
Verstappen and Alonso have offered Rafael Camara advice ahead of his Formula 1 debut at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, urging the young Brazilian to enjoy the occasion and avoid piling pressure on himself. Camara steps into the Haas seat vacated by Esteban Ocon for his home race.
Key Takeaways
Rafael Camara, 21, makes his F1 debut at this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix with Haas.
He takes the seat vacated by Esteban Ocon and partners Oliver Bearman at Interlagos.
Ryo Hirakawa finished tenth and scored a point in Mexico City but is unavailable due to WEC commitments.
Fernando Alonso told Camara to enjoy the occasion and focus on the driving.
Alonso’s advice: enjoy it and drive
Fernando Alonso’s core advice to Rafael Camara is to enjoy the occasion and concentrate on the driving. The Spaniard pointed to the mix of pressure and excitement that comes with a debut in front of a home crowd.
He also said he is confident in the young Brazilian’s ability, and suggested the media share responsibility for not loading him with excessive expectations.
How Camara got the Haas seat
Camara gets the Haas drive because Esteban Ocon will not race for the team again this season. The 21-year-old was already confirmed as a full-time Haas driver for 2027, but his promotion has been brought forward.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu declined to disclose the details behind Ocon’s departure, which the source describes as unexpected.
Hirakawa’s Mexico City stand-in
Ryo Hirakawa replaced Ocon during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend and finished tenth, scoring a point. The Japanese reserve driver is unavailable in Brazil because of his World Endurance Championship commitments, which is why Camara was selected.
A home debut at Interlagos
Camara will partner Oliver Bearman at Interlagos in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend. Making a first F1 start in his home country adds attention to what is already a significant step for a driver due to become a full-timer in 2027.
Fans of the sport can follow Max Verstappen and the wider grid through the rest of the season.
“Enjoy. I think when you find yourself making your debut in F1 in your home country, there can obviously be a lot of pressure and a lot of excitement at the same time. So I think the first thing is to enjoy it and do your job behind the wheel.”
— Fernando Alonso
“He has the talent, he has everything to succeed and everything to do well in Formula 1. The important thing is to start on the right foot and not have too much pressure.”
— Fernando Alonso
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