Rafael Câmara thanked Haas for the show of trust in handing him an early Formula 1 debut at home in Brazil ahead of his full rookie season in 2027, but refused to be drawn on whether he will finish the season with the team.

The Formula 2 championship leader has been handed an earlier-than-expected start to his Formula 1 career.

The Brazilian was already due to replace Esteban Ocon in 2027, but his elevation to the team was accelerated after the Frenchman's sudden departure on the eve of the Mexico City Grand Prix last week.

The famous Interlagos circuit hosts this weekend's São Paulo Grand Prix, but it is uncharted territory for the Ferrari junior driver.

"It's the first time [driving there]," Câmara confirmed on Thursday ahead of his debut at the famous circuit.

"For now, it's been OK," he said about the pressure of driving at home. "I think it should be alright. Also, I think myself, I've always been, whatever people think about what's happening outside, it's never been a problem."

Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa had replaced Ocon last weekend as the Japanese driver was at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez, while Câmara was back home.

Explaining the circumstances which led to his elevation, Câmara said: "I mean, I was very surprised. Definitely not a place where I would expect to do a debut in Formula 1. But just very happy for the opportunity, very grateful as well for the team to put their trust in me this week. So just trying to enjoy the home race and have some fun out there."

Hirakawa grabbed a shock point in Mexico last week to cap an impressive debut weekend.

The early elevation will put Câmara immediately alongside fellow Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman.

Their 2027 partnership has already been dubbed as an audition for a future Ferrari race seat.

When asked about that by ESPN in his own media session, Bearman said: "Of course, it's easy to make that kind of comparison.

"Honestly, I'm excited to have a teammate that's going to push me really hard and of course I've had that across the years.

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Esteban [Ocon] pushed me hard, but Rafa is also going to be a very strong competitor. For us as competitive people, as racing drivers, you want someone that pushes you to the next level.

"And that's the best way to get the most out of the team, for sure."

Bearman added: Of course I'll be trying to help him out as much as possible."

Câmara acknowledged that Bearman's benchmark will be the one he needs to follow as he gets up to speed with F1 this week.

"Ollie, in the past year, he's been always doing a good job," Câmara said of his teammate's benchmark. "So it would be someone that would be good to learn and to see what he's doing so I can also distract myself and try to put in place."

He added: "On my side, just really trying to learn as much as I can. There will be a lot of things going on, but I think on my side, really, I just try to see it as a positive note, just driving at home. It's something that I didn't do for a long time, so I'm just really trying to enjoy this weekend and just have some fun.

"Obviously it will be not easy, but yeah, I think just really what always helps for me is just really focus on my side, focus on my job, and make sure that every time you're learning and moving forward."

As it stands, Câmara is on the cusp of the Formula 2 championship, which concludes with rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in conjunction with the planned end of the Formula 1 calendar.

However, with Haas now confirming Ocon will not return before the end of the season, Haas will need to decide between Hirakawa and Câmara to close out the year -- as per F1's rules, they've already hit the maximum of drivers they can race with, meaning there's no chance they can run reserve driver Jack Doohan.

Racing at the final two rounds -- which are still set to go ahead despite ongoing uncertainties over the Middle East -- would mean Câmara effectively sat out the chance to clinch the F2 title.

Asked if this was a possibility, Câmara said his only focus so far is on the Brazil weekend.

"I think there's something still to come, still in the future," he said. "So I think, like I said, there will be a lot of things going on this weekend. So at least we are trying to focus on the job on this weekend. These will be things that will speak to the future, we'll see what will happen."