Haas has confirmed Rafael Camara will join the team as a Formula 1 driver for the 2027 season. The Brazilian, currently leading the Formula 2 standings, has signed a multi-year agreement. He will replace Esteban Ocon, whose departure from the American outfit at the end of the 2026 season was announced previously.
Camara’s promotion follows an extensive evaluation process. Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu stated Camara was the clear winner of a “shootout test” conducted at Portimao in August.
During this test, Camara drove the team’s 2025 car, the VF-25. He competed against other candidates including reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, Haas reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, and Jack Doohan.
Komatsu highlighted Camara’s “incredible speed and feel” as the overriding factor in his selection. He noted Camara’s ability to adapt to changing track conditions and manage tyre vibration.
“Rafa was the quickest, that’s the very simple answer. I always said we were going to choose the driver based on performance and then, through those evaluations, it was Rafa who just showed incredible speed and feel. That was the fully overriding factor above everything else.”
Camara, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2022, has a strong junior career record. He won the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship.
He then secured the 2025 Formula 3 title, equalling Arvid Lindblad for the highest win percentage in the series’ history.
In his rookie 2026 Formula 2 season, Camara currently leads the drivers’ standings. He holds a seven-point advantage over Nikola Tsolov with two rounds remaining.
His F2 campaign includes three Feature Race victories and four additional podium finishes.
Camara will use the race number 50 for his Formula 1 debut. His preferred number 5 is currently used by Gabriel Bortoleto.
The number 50 was chosen in reference to his birthday, May 5, 2005.
Regarding potential 2026 Free Practice 1 sessions, Komatsu indicated plans are “TBC.” He expressed a desire to get Camara in the car at least once before the year concludes.
There are no constraints from Ferrari, Camara’s parent team, regarding his participation in these sessions.
Oliver Bearman is expected to continue as Camara’s teammate for 2027. Komatsu confirmed the team’s intention to retain Bearman, with only minor contractual details pending finalisation.
Bearman, also a Ferrari Driver Academy member, is anticipated to remain with Haas for a third season.
The decision to sign Camara impacts Jack Doohan’s future with Haas. Komatsu stated Doohan’s position is “up in the air.”
Komatsu hinted at a desire to retain Doohan in a reserve capacity for the 2027 season.
Camara, who will turn 22 in May 2027, acknowledged his comparatively later entry into Formula 1. He previously competed against Kimi Antonelli in junior categories.
Antonelli, a Mercedes driver, debuted in F1 in 2025. In the 2026 season, he has secured eight Grand Prix victories.
Antonelli became the youngest-ever polesitter in China and the youngest World Drivers’ Championship leader in Japan during 2026.
Camara views Antonelli’s success as motivation. He stated there is no envy, only a positive outlook on Antonelli’s achievements.
Camara’s promotion ensures Brazil will have two full-time Formula 1 drivers for the first time since 2016. Gabriel Bortoleto currently races for Audi.
