Haas sign Rafael Camara for 2027 Formula 1 debut

Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas in 2027 after the American team selected the Brazilian from a field of four drivers, BBC Sport reported. The 21-year-old is currently leading the Formula 2 championship and will move into a race seat at the end of a selection process that included running in older Formula 1 machinery.

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Camara was chosen ahead of reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Haas reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa. According to the BBC report, Camara, Fornaroli and Hirakawa took part in an assessment at Portimao in Portugal in August, while Doohan was evaluated separately. The tests gave Haas an opportunity to assess the candidates in previous years' cars before deciding who would join its race line-up.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu highlighted more than Camara's outright pace when explaining the decision. He said the Brazilian had adapted well during the Portugal programme despite limited time to learn the car. Komatsu also praised Camara's ability to establish the conditions needed to perform at his best, describing both his approach and the laps he completed as impressive.

The signing does not yet complete Haas's confirmed line-up for next season. BBC Sport reported that Oliver Bearman is expected to remain for a third year, but the team has not announced who will drive its other car. Both Bearman and Camara belong to Ferrari's driver academy; a partnership between them at Haas therefore remains dependent on confirmation of the second seat.

Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of this year after two seasons alongside Bearman. The team confirmed the Frenchman's departure at the end of September, according to the BBC. Camara's arrival follows that announcement and establishes one member of the team's 2027 driver line-up while the other seat remains formally unannounced.

Camara thanked team owner Gene Haas and Komatsu for backing him and said his attention would now turn to preparing for the step up. He acknowledged that he has much to learn, identifying close work with the team, understanding the car and continued development as a driver as priorities for his first Formula 1 season.