Esteban Ocon’s position at Haas for the 2027 Formula 1 season is under significant review, with Ferrari Driver Academy member Rafael Camara reportedly emerging as the leading candidate for his seat. Reports indicate that a deal for the Brazilian driver is nearing finalisation.
Ocon, who joined Haas for the 2025 campaign, has secured three points in the current 2026 Drivers’ Championship, placing him 18th in the standings. His teammate, Oliver Bearman, has accumulated 18 points, sitting 13th.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has confirmed the team is evaluating multiple candidates for the 2027 lineup, stating that performance will be the primary factor in their decision. Komatsu indicated that Haas is not rushing the selection process.
Rafael Camara, a 21-year-old Brazilian, is currently competing in the 2026 Formula 2 season with Invicta Racing. He holds second place in the championship with 170 points, seven points behind leader Nikola Tsolov, and has achieved two victories and multiple podium finishes.
Camara’s junior career includes winning the Formula Regional European Championship in 2024 and the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2025. He has also gained experience driving a Ferrari Formula 1 car on several occasions.
Haas has a close technical relationship with Ferrari, their engine supplier. Oliver Bearman, also a Ferrari Driver Academy graduate, currently occupies the other Haas seat and is widely expected to remain with the team for 2027.
The team has conducted Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions to assess potential drivers. These tests took place at Portimão and Jerez, involving Camara, McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli, Jack Doohan, and Ryo Hirakawa.
Leonardo Fornaroli, the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Champion, serves as a McLaren Reserve Driver for the 2026 season. He was also considered a strong candidate for the Haas seat.
Ocon has acknowledged ongoing discussions regarding his future with Haas. He stated that the team is entitled to evaluate other drivers through their TPC programme.
‘Yes, naturally we have been holding talks about the future over the past few weeks. I’ve been convinced to come for this project with Ayao [Komatsu, Haas principle] since 2025 and, of course, the first discussion needs to happen with this team, and they are happening right now. But, yes, the team is allowed to test other drivers if they want.’
Ocon also highlighted inconsistencies with the car’s performance as a contributing factor to his results this season. He believes that when the car performs as expected, he delivers.
In other championship news, Kimi Antonelli leads the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. The Mercedes driver has accumulated 292 points after 14 of 23 rounds, holding an 81-point advantage over teammate George Russell.
Antonelli secured victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on September 13, 2026, and further extended his championship lead by winning the Italian Grand Prix on September 9, 2026.
