Haas has reportedly opted against promoting its reserve driver Jack Doohan for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The team is understood to have chosen Rafael Camara to fill the vacant seat alongside Oliver Bearman. This decision follows extensive evaluation of multiple candidates.
Esteban Ocon, the current Haas driver, confirmed his departure from the team at the end of the 2026 season in late September. Haas officially announced Ocon’s exit on September 30, opening a crucial slot for the upcoming year.
Oliver Bearman, a senior Ferrari Driver Academy member, is widely expected to retain his position with Haas for 2027. His continuation has not yet been formally confirmed by the team.
Rafael Camara, a Ferrari protege and a leading contender in the Formula 2 championship, is now understood to be the preferred choice for Haas. An agreement between Haas and Ferrari was reportedly finalised during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.
Camara’s selection is also supported by substantial sponsorship from his native Brazil. A formal announcement regarding his signing is anticipated in the coming week.
Haas conducted several Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions to assess potential drivers. These evaluations included Doohan, Camara, McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli, and Toyota-backed Ryo Hirakawa.
Jack Doohan’s performance during his Jerez test in September was notably strong. This unexpectedly impressive showing presented Haas management with a difficult decision.
Doohan joined Haas as a test and reserve driver before the current 2026 season, following his departure from Alpine in 2025. He had been considered a strong candidate for a full-time return to the grid.
Ayao Komatsu, Haas Team Principal, has consistently stated that driver performance is the primary criterion for selection. He also indicated that commercial backing or affiliations become relevant if driver performances are equal.
The decision to potentially field an all-Ferrari junior lineup with Bearman and Camara has reportedly led to divided opinions within the Formula 1 paddock. Some sources describe the situation at Haas as ‘murky waters’.
