RAFAEL CÂMARA EMERGES AS HAAS FAVOURITE FOR 2027 SEAT
Haas is looking ahead to the 2027 Formula 1 season, and Rafael Câmara has emerged as the strongest candidate for the team’s second seat. The Brazilian is currently competing in Formula 2 with Invicta Racing and is also a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. However, while Câmara has gained strong support around the team, the final decision has not yet been officially confirmed.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu previously confirmed that five drivers were being considered for the seat alongside Oliver Bearman. The list includes current driver Esteban Ocon, reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa, Ferrari junior Câmara and reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli.
The team has been using its Testing of Previous Cars programme to evaluate several of those drivers directly. Câmara, Fornaroli and Hirakawa all drove the Haas VF-25 at Portimão in August, giving the team an opportunity to compare their speed, technical feedback and work with the engineers.
Câmara made a particularly strong impression during the Portimão test. According to reporting from Brazil’s GE, he was faster than both Fornaroli and Hirakawa and also beat Oliver Bearman’s benchmark from the same testing programme. His technical feedback and ability to adapt to different conditions were also highly appreciated by Haas engineers.
The Brazilian’s connection with Ferrari is another important part of his profile. Câmara has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and has gained experience with Formula 1 machinery through Ferrari’s testing programme. He has also continued to work with Ferrari engineers as part of his preparation for a possible move to Formula 1.
Câmara’s Formula 2 campaign has also helped strengthen his case. He entered 2026 as one of the leading young drivers in the championship and has collected several strong results during the season. His performances have attracted interest beyond Haas, with Cadillac also monitoring him as part of its own evaluation for 2027.
Leonardo Fornaroli remains an important part of the discussion. The Italian won the 2025 Formula 2 championship and is a McLaren development driver. Haas has already tested him several times, and Komatsu previously described his work during testing as very good.
The decision is therefore not simply based on one test or one driver’s nationality or academy connection. Komatsu has repeatedly stated that performance will be the main factor in Haas’ decision. He has also said that the team would not choose a driver who was significantly slower simply because of links to Ferrari or Toyota.
This is important because Haas has close technical and commercial links with Ferrari, while Hirakawa is supported by Toyota and Fornaroli is connected to McLaren. Komatsu has made clear that these relationships can be considered when performances are similar, but they should not replace the team’s assessment of the drivers on track.
The seat in question is currently occupied by Esteban Ocon, whose future with Haas beyond 2026 remains undecided. Oliver Bearman, meanwhile, is expected to continue with the team for 2027, meaning the main question is who will join the British driver next season.
If Câmara is selected, his move to Haas would also strengthen the relationship between the American team and Ferrari. Bearman is already a Ferrari junior and has raced for Haas since making his full-time F1 debut, while Câmara would potentially become another Ferrari-supported young driver on the Haas grid.
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