Formula 1 today: Câmara makes his debut, Mercedes eye the constructors' title

Rafael Câmara replaces Esteban Ocon at Haas, and Mercedes can wrap up the constructors' championship in Brazil.

Symbolic image (AI-generated): mauve and grey racing car on the sunny, dry start/finish straight of the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, pit building on the left, grandstand on the right, São Paulo in the background — AI-generated illustrative image based on our 3D replay – not a real race scene

Haas: Rafael Câmara makes his debut at Interlagos

Haas will have a new driver in the car at the Brazilian GP: Brazilian Rafael Câmara will contest his first Formula 1 race at Interlagos, replacing Esteban Ocon. According to formula1.com, Haas had already confirmed the Ferrari junior as a race driver for 2027. He currently leads the Formula 2 championship. Now the team is bringing his first outing forward. According to a US motorsport outlet and Sky Sports, Ocon will not race for Haas again this season.

Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa stepped in at the Mexico City GP and scored a point in tenth. According to formula1.com, he is not available this time because he is competing in the World Endurance Championship season finale. Câmara told formula1.com that making his debut in front of his home crowd was something special. He also admitted that he still has a lot to learn. Who will partner Oliver Bearman in the second Haas for the last three races is still open, according to the same US outlet.

Mercedes can clinch the constructors' title in Brazil

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already been crowned drivers' world champion. Now Mercedes can also settle the constructors' championship in Brazil. Heading into the 20th round of the season, Mercedes lead on 630 points ahead of Ferrari on 504 points. According to formula1.com, Mercedes simply need to score at least three points more than Ferrari at Interlagos. If the teams finished the season level on points, Mercedes would come out on top because they have won more races. Antonelli has taken nine wins this year and George Russell three. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have each won one race for Ferrari.

If Ferrari fail to score, formula1.com says an eighth place for Antonelli or Russell would be enough. If Ferrari claim a one-two, however, the fight goes on. The next opportunity would then be the Las Vegas GP.

Softer tyres and the weekend schedule

According to formula1.com, Pirelli is bringing the C3 (hard), C4 (medium) and C5 (soft) compounds to Interlagos. Last year C2 to C4 were used, so the selection is one step softer. If it stays dry, every driver must use at least two different slick compounds in the race.

There is no Sprint in Brazil. The times in German time (CET):