'Focus on things I can control' – Camara explains approach as he prepares for F1 debut

Rafael Camara states he will "focus on things that I can control" as the Brazilian prepares to make his Formula 1 debut with Haas at his home event in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Camara will compete in his first F1 event this weekend, with Haas confirming Esteban Ocon will no longer compete for them for the remainder of the season after the Frenchman was replaced during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.

Ryo Hirakawa stepped into the role as Haas' reserve driver last weekend, eventually being classified 10th on his F1 debut, but the Japanese driver is racing for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship this weekend.

This has opened the door for Camara to step up from F2 earlier than expected with the Brazilian having already been confirmed with Haas for the 2027 season.

Speaking during Thursday's media day in Sao Paulo, Camara admitted he was trying not to put pressure on himself, having never driven either Haas' 2026 car or at the Interlagos circuit before, and with his debut coming at his home event.

"I think for myself, whatever people are speaking about or whatever is happening outside has never really been a problem," he said.

"So I think it should be alright. It should not be a problem. And like I said, I always try to just focus on my side, focus on things that I can control, and whatever is happening outside is not really in my control."

Despite being thrust into the seat, Camara was able to conduct simulator work ahead of the weekend as a Ferrari junior driver, while three, one-hour practice sessions will help him get up to speed on track.

"I still did some simulator work with Ferrari because I was supposed to have FP1 [as a young driver later in the year], so it was good to have some laps on the simulator," he said.

"Some days before coming to Brazil, but it was in the other [older] car. I’ve never driven here, but with these simulator sessions, I think it should be alright. We have three sessions, and then definitely you can build from these sessions."

Camara's move up to F1 comes as he sits at the top of the F2 standings in just his rookie campaign with two rounds remaining in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Haas have yet to confirm if Camara will compete for the American team in those remaining outings, with the 21-year-old stating "that is something that is still to come and still in the future", with his focus entirely on this weekend.