Rafael Câmara described his first day as a Formula 1 driver as a special experience after completing both Friday practice sessions with Haas at the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP. The Brazilian made his debut in front of his home crowd at Interlagos, with Haas’s Hoagy Nidd praising the progress he made throughout the day despite the considerable learning curve.
The 21-year-old finished 18th in FP1 with a 1:13.696 before improving to 16th in FP2 with a 1:12.561. Meanwhile, teammate Ollie Bearman secured 12th and tenth respectively, providing Haas with valuable information ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session.
However, Câmara’s first day also included a near miss with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc during FP2. The stewards subsequently issued the Brazilian a driving reprimand for unnecessarily impeding the Monegasque at Turn 15, after determining that his actions had created a dangerous situation.
Despite the incident, Câmara remained positive about his progress, while Nidd highlighted the team’s efforts to help him adapt to the car, unfamiliar procedures and changing conditions at Interlagos.
Câmara reflects on emotional first F1 appearance at Interlagos
Câmara entered the São Paulo weekend following Haas’s decision to bring forward his Formula 1 debut. The Brazilian had already secured a multi-year agreement with the American team beginning in 2027, but Esteban Ocon’s early departure provided an opportunity for him to make his debut at his home Grand Prix.
The occasion carried particular significance for Câmara, who experienced the atmosphere of a Formula 1 race weekend as a full-time driver for the first time. The enthusiastic reception from the Brazilian spectators added to the emotions surrounding his debut, although he soon turned his attention towards adapting to the car and learning the circuit.
“It was very nice, very special. Getting to FP1 was a bit more emotional. You see the crowd in front of you, everyone cheering.
“So, it’s been very nice to be driving here in Interlagos. It’s been the first time, so I [have been getting] to know the track.
“The track has been enjoyable. Just getting more up to speed, getting more used to the car and understanding more for the weekend and go through these courses.”
His first two sessions provided an opportunity to build confidence in the VF-26 while gaining experience of the procedures and demands associated with a Grand Prix weekend.
Câmara discusses challenges of learning Interlagos
Alongside the emotions surrounding his debut, Câmara faced the additional challenge of learning the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. The Brazilian had not previously driven the circuit and therefore needed to familiarise himself with its characteristics while adapting to the 2026 Haas.
The circuit’s bumpy surface and sections of newer tarmac presented particular considerations, especially as drivers attempted to find grip throughout Friday’s running. Câmara acknowledged those characteristics but remained satisfied with his initial progress.
“Yeah, I mean, there is some new tarmac that they started from last year. The new parts.
“But overall, it’s been quite okay. It’s quite a bumpy track, so you can feel a lot of bumps. But like I said, [I am] just getting more used to the track, understanding more and putting more in place, I think so.”
Several experienced drivers also encountered difficulties around Interlagos, particularly under braking at Turn 1. However, Câmara continued improving throughout the day, reducing his fastest lap from 1:13.696 in FP1 to 1:12.561 during the afternoon session.
His progress offered an encouraging starting point as he continued preparing for his first qualifying session and Grand Prix.
Nidd praises Câmara’s progress throughout Friday practice
Nidd expressed satisfaction with Câmara’s first day, highlighting the Brazilian’s ability to gradually build confidence and develop his understanding of the car. Although the rookie faced a demanding introduction to Formula 1, Nidd believed he handled the occasion well and made encouraging progress across both sessions.
The Haas representative also acknowledged that Câmara initially hesitated to provide extensive feedback during FP1. However, he became increasingly comfortable communicating with the team throughout the afternoon, allowing the engineers to gain a clearer understanding of his experiences behind the wheel.
“Not bad. For Rafa, obviously, a massive learning curve today. It’s pretty intimidating, but he did brilliantly, built up steadily through FP1.
“He was almost a bit reticent to give too much feedback from FP1, and obviously, for FP2, he was improving all the time and building with his feedback and his driving. So, a pretty strong day, I would say.”
The assessment reflects the challenges Câmara faced during his first competitive F1 weekend. Beyond adapting to the car’s performance, he also needed to establish an effective working relationship with his engineers and become familiar with the team’s operating procedures.
Haas will now aim to build on that foundation as Câmara prepares for the remaining sessions.
Haas focuses on procedures as Câmara adapts to F1 machinery at 2026 São Paulo GP
Beyond improving Câmara’s lap times, Haas used Friday practice to familiarise the Brazilian with several procedures that experienced Formula 1 drivers routinely perform.
These included practice starts and other operational exercises, allowing Câmara to develop a greater understanding of the processes he will need during Sunday’s race. Although such tasks form a normal part of a Grand Prix weekend, they represent additional responsibilities for a driver making his first appearance.
Nidd explained that the team’s programme therefore extended beyond outright performance, with Haas placing considerable emphasis on helping Câmara become comfortable with the car and its systems.
“Working on procedures, you probably saw us go out, do a few starts, things like that. Just the normal bread-and-butter things that we almost take for granted with most drivers. So, we’re very pleased with him, I think.”
The Brazilian completed 30 laps in each practice session, giving him 60 laps of experience across Friday’s running. Bearman added another 63, bringing Haas’s combined total to 123 laps.
While the team still has several areas to improve, Nidd’s assessment suggests that Câmara made encouraging progress in understanding the demands of his new role.
Haas identifies tyre performance concerns during FP2 at 2026 F1 São Paulo GP
Although Haas welcomed Câmara’s development, Nidd acknowledged that the team still needed to improve its car’s performance ahead of Qualifying. The American outfit demonstrated stronger pace on the soft compound than on the hard tyres, with Bearman particularly struggling during his early FP2 running.
The differences between the compounds influenced Haas’s approach to its afternoon programme. With uncertain weather conditions potentially affecting Saturday’s running, the team also wanted to gather additional information about the soft tyres during its longer stints.
“A little bit, yeah. We’re a lot quicker on the soft tyre than we are on the hard, definitely. Ollie was struggling on the hard tyre in FP2 there. You probably saw us in the long run get off it, get onto the soft because we don’t know what the weather’s going to do tomorrow.”
Bearman eventually secured tenth in Friday’s second practice session with a 1:11.991, finishing ahead of several established midfield competitors. However, the team’s difficulties on the harder compound highlighted the need for further analysis before Qualifying.
The engineers will now examine the information gathered during both sessions as they attempt to improve the car’s balance and performance across the available tyre compounds.
Nidd outlines handling difficulties and overnight improvements at Haas during 2026 F1 São Paulo GP
Alongside the differences in tyre performance, Haas encountered familiar handling problems during Friday’s running. Nidd identified the balance between initial turn-in and mid-corner behaviour as one of the areas requiring attention, particularly as the drivers continued evaluating the car’s performance.
The team must now determine how to address those characteristics without compromising the stronger pace demonstrated on the soft tyres. With Qualifying approaching, Haas has limited time to evaluate its findings and make the necessary adjustments.
“His complaints in the car at the moment today are the usual ones. Very sharp turn-in, heading for mid-corner understeer, things like that. It’s the typical things with these cars.
“But yeah, we’re steadily working through it. We’ve got a bit to work on tonight. Hopefully, we’ll get there tomorrow.”
Despite the remaining concerns, Friday provided Haas with a useful foundation. Bearman demonstrated competitive single-lap pace, while Câmara continued improving as he became more familiar with the car.
The team’s immediate priority will involve reviewing the balance concerns and refining its setup before Saturday’s final practice session.
Resurfacing and weather create additional uncertainty at Interlagos
The condition of the Interlagos circuit also presented another challenge for Haas, particularly following concerns about resurfacing work ahead of the race weekend. Teams had questioned how the changes might affect the circuit’s characteristics, with the possibility of rain adding further uncertainty.
Nidd acknowledged those concerns but explained that his inspection of the track suggested organisers had made improvements compared with the conditions he had previously seen in photographs.
“Yeah, it’s a massive unknown. The resurfacing, obviously, we were led to believe it was going to be really challenging. I think they’ve done quite a lot of work in the last couple of weeks to improve that.
“Certainly, out on my track run last night, it looked better than the pictures I’d seen.”
Although Friday’s sessions took place without rain interrupting the running, the unpredictable forecast remained an important consideration for teams preparing their cars.
Nidd emphasised that Haas would need to respond to the conditions as they developed rather than assume the remainder of the weekend would follow a predictable pattern.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of unknowns at the moment. We just need to manage them all as they come up and do our best. Thank you.”
Haas rookie Câmara addresses near miss with Leclerc during FP2 at 2026 F1 São Paulo GP
While Câmara made encouraging progress during Friday practice, his first day also included an incident involving Leclerc during the second session.
The Ferrari driver approached Turn 15 on a flying lap while Câmara travelled more slowly ahead of him. As Leclerc closed on the Haas, he moved to the right to avoid contact, taking a significant portion of his car off the circuit.
The incident attracted the attention of race control, which referred the matter to the stewards for investigation after FP2.
Speaking after the session, Câmara acknowledged the encounter but explained that he wanted to examine the situation more closely before providing a detailed assessment of what had happened.
“Yeah, I mean, it was a tough situation. But it’s something that you still need to look more in detail to actually comment and tell exactly what happened.
“But luckily, nothing happened.”
Although the incident did not result in a collision, it disrupted Leclerc’s flying lap. The Ferrari driver eventually finished seventh, while Câmara completed the session in 16th.
The FIA subsequently reviewed the incident, examining the available footage and communications before determining whether the Haas driver had breached the regulations.
FIA stewards issue driving reprimand for impeding
Following their investigation, the FIA stewards determined that Câmara had unnecessarily impeded Leclerc at Turn 15, breaching Article B4.1.1 of the Formula 1 Regulations.
According to Stewards’ Document 25, officials reviewed video footage, team radio communications and onboard evidence before reaching their decision. They established that Haas had repeatedly warned Câmara about Leclerc approaching on a fast lap.
Despite those warnings, Câmara continued weaving and moved significantly into the racing line. Leclerc consequently had to take evasive action to the right, leaving a substantial portion of his Ferrari outside the circuit to avoid a collision.
The stewards considered the situation dangerous and concluded that Câmara should have taken greater care to avoid impeding the Ferrari.
Although a warning would ordinarily represent the expected sanction for impeding during Free Practice, the stewards determined that the circumstances warranted a driving reprimand.
The decision represents Câmara’s first reprimand of the season. The FIA did not impose a grid penalty, meaning the incident will not directly affect his starting position for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Câmara continues adapting to unfamiliar F1 procedures with Haas at 2026 São Paulo GP
Despite the stewards’ decision, Câmara remained positive about his overall progress during Friday’s sessions. The Brazilian emphasised that he was still learning several aspects of operating the Haas, particularly the procedures and responsibilities associated with competing in Formula 1.
His comments reflected the adjustment involved in stepping into a race seat during an active championship campaign. In addition to learning the circuit, Câmara needed to understand the team’s systems, communicate effectively with his engineers and become increasingly comfortable with the car’s behaviour.
“It’s been good. Obviously, just understanding everything, a lot of procedures are new.
“And with the car, it’s been so far, I think, quite okay. Obviously, there is still some job to do, but I think we can learn a lot from today and to motivate more people.”
His assessment also reflected the approach he had outlined ahead of his Formula 1 debut, when he emphasised the importance of learning and making steady progress throughout the weekend.
Friday’s running provided his first opportunity to put that approach into practice as a Grand Prix driver.
Haas aims to build on Friday progress ahead of 2026 F1 São Paulo GP Qualifying
Haas will now review its Friday performance as Câmara prepares for his first Formula 1 Qualifying session at Interlagos. Although the Brazilian finished outside the top ten in both practice sessions, his improvement from FP1 to FP2 provided an encouraging starting point.
Nidd’s comments also highlighted the broader development work taking place behind the scenes. The team has concentrated on helping Câmara become familiar with procedures while simultaneously working through the car’s tyre and handling characteristics.
However, the reprimand for impeding Leclerc demonstrated another challenge facing the rookie as he adapts to sharing the circuit with experienced competitors during a Grand Prix weekend.
For Bearman, the immediate objective will involve maintaining the competitive pace he demonstrated on soft tyres while addressing the difficulties Haas encountered with the harder compound.
With uncertain weather conditions potentially influencing Saturday’s running, the American team must also prepare for further changes in track behaviour.
Câmara will return to the circuit for FP3 and Qualifying on Saturday, 7 November, before making his Grand Prix race debut in front of his home crowd on Sunday.
