F1 today: Haas picks Câmara for 2027 as Horner attacks rivals and Red Bull locks in Mekies

News Summary

• Haas confirms Rafael Câmara for 2027, replacing Esteban Ocon alongside Oliver Bearman.
• Christian Horner accuses rival F1 teams of exploiting Red Bull’s internal troubles, while Laurent Mekies secures a new contract through 2031.
• Ferrari investigates an alarming braking incident involving Charles Leclerc, and McLaren faces further pressure after the Norris–Piastri collision.

Formula 1 news on Thursday, October 15, 2026, is dominated by Rafael Câmara’s promotion to Haas, giving Brazil a second full-time driver for next season, while major developments at Red Bull continue to generate attention following Max Verstappen’s consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore.

Christian Horner has accused rival teams of attempting to take advantage of Red Bull’s internal problems, while his successor, Laurent Mekies, has secured a long-term contract extension. Ferrari and McLaren are also dealing with the consequences of a difficult Singapore weekend, and Kimi Antonelli is preparing for a potential championship-deciding United States Grand Prix.

Here are the seven main developments from Thursday’s Formula 1 coverage.

Haas confirms Rafael Câmara for 2027 as Ocon loses F1 seat

Haas has confirmed that Rafael Câmara will make his Formula 1 debut in 2027, signing a multi-year agreement to replace Esteban Ocon alongside Oliver Bearman.

The 21-year-old Brazilian is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and currently leads the Formula 2 championship with Invicta Racing. His promotion follows consecutive titles in Formula Regional in 2024 and Formula 3 in 2025, as well as an extensive testing programme involving Ferrari and Haas.

The decision gives Brazil two full-time drivers on the 2027 grid, with Gabriel Bortoleto continuing at Audi. It also brings an end to Ocon’s two-season spell with the American team.

Câmara impressed Haas during testing at Portimão, where his performance strengthened his position against other candidates for the seat.

Read the full story of Câmara’s Haas contract and Ocon’s departure.

Horner accuses F1 rivals of exploiting Red Bull’s internal crisis

Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has accused rival Formula 1 teams of attempting to exploit the controversy surrounding his final months in charge, arguing that competitors saw an opportunity to weaken the organisation.

Horner, who left Red Bull in July 2025 after two decades leading the team, has continued speaking publicly about the circumstances surrounding his departure and the political pressures faced by the Milton Keynes operation.

His latest comments come at a particularly sensitive moment for Red Bull. The team has recovered from a difficult start to the 2026 season, with Verstappen winning consecutive Grands Prix and the organisation making major decisions about its long-term leadership.

Horner’s criticism adds another chapter to the controversy surrounding his exit, although his allegations about rival teams’ intentions remain his own assessment rather than independently established facts.

Red Bull rewards Mekies with contract until 2031 after Verstappen revival

Laurent Mekies will remain Red Bull team principal and CEO until the end of 2031, after the team confirmed a major contract extension following its recent return to winning form.

Mekies replaced Horner in July 2025 and inherited an organisation facing significant technical and competitive challenges under Formula 1’s new regulations.

Red Bull’s development programme has since produced a major improvement, allowing Verstappen to win at Sepang and Singapore on consecutive weekends.

The victories were particularly significant because the two circuits present very different demands, suggesting that Red Bull’s recovery is not restricted to one specific type of track.

The extension gives Mekies responsibility for the team’s development over the next five seasons, strengthening management continuity as Red Bull prepares for the remainder of the current regulatory cycle.

Read why Red Bull rewarded Mekies with a deal until 2031 after Verstappen’s revival.

Leclerc reveals Ferrari braked without his command in Singapore

Charles Leclerc experienced an alarming technical incident during the Singapore Grand Prix, reporting that his Ferrari began braking unexpectedly while he was accelerating away from Turn 13.

The problem occurred on lap 46 and prompted an urgent exchange with race engineer Bryan Bozzi. Leclerc warned that a repeat of the behaviour could cause him to lose control and crash into the barriers.

Ferrari subsequently instructed the Monegasque to change a steering-wheel setting, after which he reported no further occurrence of the problem.

The precise technical cause has not been publicly established. The available radio messages confirm Leclerc’s experience but do not identify which component or control system was responsible.

Despite the incident, Leclerc finished second behind Verstappen, securing another podium for Ferrari.

Read Leclerc’s warning to Ferrari after his car began braking on its own.

McLaren keeps Norris–Piastri discussions open after Singapore collision

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has confirmed that discussions with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remain unfinished following their collision during the Singapore Grand Prix sprint.

The teammates made contact while fighting for fourth place on the final lap, eliminating Piastri and leaving Norris eighth. Although the FIA decided that neither driver was predominantly responsible, McLaren considered the incident unacceptable.

Stella has emphasised that the remaining discussions are not intended to reopen the question of who caused the collision. Instead, the team wants both drivers to place collective objectives ahead of individual ambitions.

Norris subsequently accepted that he should not have attempted the move and offered to assist Piastri during Sunday’s Grand Prix.

The issue has become more important as Red Bull closes to within 7 points of McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, increasing the pressure on the team to avoid unnecessary losses.

Read why McLaren refuses to close the Norris–Piastri case after Singapore.

Antonelli admits Verstappen’s comeback would be frightening without title advantage

Kimi Antonelli has acknowledged that Max Verstappen’s recent return to winning form would be a serious concern without his substantial championship advantage.

The Mercedes driver leads the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with 340 points, 102 ahead of teammate George Russell and 119 clear of Verstappen.

Red Bull’s recovery has transformed the competitive picture, with Verstappen winning the last two Grands Prix after struggling with the RB22 during the opening months of the season.

Antonelli’s position remains considerably stronger because of his consistency throughout the championship, while Verstappen’s early difficulties have left him facing a substantial points deficit.

However, the Italian recognises that Red Bull’s improved performance makes Verstappen a dangerous opponent, particularly as the championship approaches its final six rounds.

Antonelli could mathematically secure his first Formula 1 world title at the United States Grand Prix, depending on the results of his remaining rivals.

Malaysia studies permanent F1 return after Sepang comeback

Malaysia is evaluating a permanent return to the Formula 1 calendar following the successful staging of the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang earlier this month.

The event attracted approximately 261,000 spectators over three days, while authorities projected an economic impact of around RM950 million.

The Malaysian government is now examining whether those benefits would justify the substantial financial commitment required to host Formula 1 regularly.

A committee is expected to submit its findings to the cabinet by November, although no agreement has been reached and the championship’s crowded calendar remains an obstacle.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that discussions with Formula 1 have begun, raising the possibility of a future Malaysian Grand Prix after the circuit’s last regular championship appearance in 2017.

Read how Malaysia’s Formula 1 return has gained momentum after Sepang’s successful comeback.

When is the next Formula 1 race?

The next race is the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026. The weekend runs from October 23 to 25 and will not feature a sprint race.

Antonelli arrives with his first opportunity to clinch the championship, while Verstappen will pursue a third consecutive Grand Prix victory. McLaren, meanwhile, is preparing updates intended to help defend third place in the Constructors’ Championship against Red Bull.

GRANDE PRÊMIO will follow all the developments leading into Austin, including qualifying, the starting grid, championship scenarios and the race, through its Formula 1 coverage.