KANNAPOLIS — Brazilian Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas in 2027 after winning a four-driver evaluation shootout, the US-based team announced. The 21-year-old, who is leading the Formula 2 championship, was chosen over reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Haas reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa following tests in previous years' F1 cars.
"I'm really excited to sign such a young, amazing talent like Rafael Camara," Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said. "He showed when we had him drive in our programme in Portugal that he could handle himself very well with not a huge amount of time to learn the car. He showed us more than just raw speed." Komatsu added: "Rafa managed to create an environment to get the best out of himself, it was very impressive and certainly the laps he completed were special."
Camara, Fornaroli and Hirakawa were all assessed at Portugal's Portimao track in August, while Doohan was evaluated separately. "It's an important step in my career and I want to thank (owner) Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for the trust they have placed in me," Camara said. "Now my focus is on preparing myself in the best possible way for this new challenge. There will be a lot to learn, and I'm looking forward to working closely with the team, understanding the car and continuing to develop as a driver."
Haas has not confirmed who will drive its other car next season, but Briton Oliver Bearman is widely expected to be retained for a third season. Bearman and Camara are both members of the Ferrari driver academy. Frenchman Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of the year after two seasons alongside Bearman, a move Haas confirmed at the end of last month.