Key Highlights:
- Formula 2 points leader Rafael Camara has signed a multi-year deal to make his Formula 1 debut with TGR Haas F1 Team starting in 2027.
- The 21-year-old Brazilian driver will replace Esteban Ocon, whose exit at the end of 2026 was confirmed on September 30 following two difficult seasons.
- Camara, a Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy talent, is poised to partner with Oliver Bearman after outperforming test candidates Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa.
Rafael Camara Secures Multi-Year Haas F1 Seat for 2027
Formula 2 championship leader Rafael Camara will make his official Formula 1 debut for the TGR Haas F1 Team in 2027, where he is anticipated to form a dynamic young lineup alongside Oliver Bearman. The 21-year-old Brazilian talent replaces Esteban Ocon, who is set to depart the American outfit at the conclusion of the 2026 season following two disappointing campaigns, an exit officially confirmed on September 30.
Camara’s rapid ascendancy through single-seater racing positions him as one of the most promising young prospects on the motorsport ladder. Having secured the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) title and the 2025 FIA Formula 3 crown in dominant fashion, Camara is currently targeting a historic triple crown. Driving for Invicta Racing, he leads the Formula 2 standings over Nikola Tsolov by seven points. Securing the F2 title would make Camara the only driver in junior history to capture FRECA, F3, and F2 championships in consecutive seasons.
Speaking on his milestone promotion, Camara expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude to team leadership and his long-time backers:
“I’m very happy to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team as a Formula 1 driver,” said Camara, who has signed a “multi-year” deal. “It’s an important step in my career and I want to thank Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for the trust they have placed in me. I’m also very grateful to the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy for their support and for everything they have contributed to my development over the years, as well as to my family for always being there throughout this journey. 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.”
Testing Evaluations and the Ferrari Connection
While the Haas management team took time to formalize the announcement, Camara had long emerged as the frontrunner for the vacant cockpit. He prevailed over notable competition that included reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Haas reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa. All three candidates participated in the squad’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, which featured an extensive three-day evaluation at Portugal’s Portimao circuit in August designed to benchmark their readiness for premier-class competition.
Camara’s status as a Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy graduate served as an additional catalyst in sealing the agreement. Haas maintains an extensive technical alliance with Ferrari, sourcing numerous critical components—including the power unit—from the Maranello team. Oliver Bearman followed an identical developmental trajectory from the Ferrari stable to a Haas race seat.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu praised Camara’s raw pace, composure under pressure, and technical adaptability:
“I’m really excited to sign such a young, amazing talent like Rafael Camara. I don’t need to tell everyone about his achievements in the junior formulas, it’s been very impressive, and in his rookie season in Formula 2, the speed he’s shown in some very difficult moments, like qualifying in Monaco and Montreal – that all goes to show the potential Rafa has. He showed when we had him drive in our TPC 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. 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. We’re all excited about this opportunity and really committed as TGR Haas F1 Team to nurture this talent and provide a place where he can flourish. We want to create an environment where he’s comfortable and supported, where he can really excel in his capabilities.”
Why This Matters
Camara’s confirmation crystallizes the driver market puzzle heading toward the 2027 regulation cycle, leaving theoretically just three cockpits unconfirmed on the grid. Two remaining openings reside at Racing Bulls, where the Red Bull sister team is widely expected to retain Liam Lawson alongside promising rookie Arvid Lindblad. The second Haas seat alongside Camara is an open secret earmarked for the 21-year-old Bearman, who has earned high marks within the squad since his rookie debut.
By securing Camara on a multi-year term, Haas solidifies its strategic reliance on young, high-ceiling talent cultivated through the Ferrari pipeline. The move demonstrates a structural shift toward building long-term continuity with driver academy standouts rather than relying exclusively on experienced veterans, establishing one of the grid’s youngest developmental driver lineups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rafael Camara replacing at Haas for 2027?
Rafael Camara will replace Esteban Ocon, whose departure from the American outfit at the end of the 2026 season was confirmed on September 30 following two disappointing seasons with the team.
What historic junior record could Rafael Camara achieve?
Having won the 2024 FRECA title and the 2025 Formula 3 championship, Camara currently leads the Formula 2 standings by seven points over Nikola Tsolov. If he wins the F2 title with Invicta, he will become the only driver in history to win the FRECA, F3, and F2 crowns in three consecutive seasons.
Who were the other candidates evaluated for the Haas seat?
Haas evaluated Camara alongside reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa during a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, which included a decisive three-day evaluation test at the Portimao circuit in August.
