FIA confirms Rafael Camara punishment after Charles Leclerc investigation
Rafael Camara and Charles Leclerc were forced to visit the FIA stewards after FP2 in Brazil
Haas driver Rafael Camara has been hit with a reprimand by the FIA stewards after impeding Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in FP2 at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Leclerc and Camara were classified seventh and 16th respectively in Friday’s second practice as Mercedes driver and newly crowned F1 2026 world champion Kimi Antonelli set the pace.
FIA confirms Rafael Camara reprimand after Charles Leclerc incident
The pair had a close call at Turn 15, the final left-hand kink leading on to the main straight, during FP2.
Leclerc encountered a slow-moving Camara, forcing the Ferrari driver to take to the painted run-off area.
Leclerc was seen raising a hand from the steering wheel in frustration and commenting over team radio: “I mean, what the f**k was that?”
Following a post-session investigation, the stewards have confirmed that Camara has been handed a reprimand.
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The stewards’ verdict read: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 51 (Rafael Camara), team representatives and reviewed video, team radio and in-car video evidence and determined that Car 51 was warned multiple times that Car 16 (LEC) was arriving on a fast lap.
“Yet, Car 51 was weaving and moving well into the racing line.
“Car 16 had to take evasive action to avoid a collision by moving to the right, with a significant amount of the car off the track.
“The situation that was created was clearly dangerous and Car 51 should have taken more care to avoid impeding Car 16.
“While the typical penalty for impeding in a Free Practice session is a warning, in this instance, we are of the view that a reprimand is warranted.”
Camara, of Recife in Brazil, is preparing to make his F1 debut at his home race after Haas parted ways with Esteban Ocon following last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.
Ocon was withdrawn by Haas following Friday practice in Mexico, with Ryo Hirakawa going on to score a point for 10th place after replacing the Frenchman.
Haas announced on Tuesday that Camara, a Ferrari junior driver, would make his full debut in Brazil, having been signed by the team for the 2027 season last month.
The 21-year-old, who won the F3 title in 2025, leads the F2 feeder championship with a maximum of two rounds remaining in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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