Brazilian Camara to join Haas for F1 debut in 2027

Key points

• Rafael Camara will join Haas for his Formula 1 debut in 2027.
• The 21-year-old Brazilian currently leads the Formula 2 championship.
• Haas chose Camara over Leonardo Fornaroli, Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa after tests.
• Camara and Oliver Bearman are both members of the Ferrari driver academy.

Brazilian driver Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut with the US-based Haas team in 2027. The 21-year-old, who currently leads the Formula 2 championship, was selected after a process that assessed four drivers.

Camara was chosen over reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Haas reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa. The four were evaluated in previous years' F1 cars, with Camara, Fornaroli and Hirakawa testing at Portugal's Portimao track in August and Doohan testing separately.

What the team principal said

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said Camara showed he could handle the car well despite limited time to learn it. "He showed us more than just raw speed," Komatsu said, adding that Camara created an environment to get the best out of himself and that his completed laps were special.

I'm really excited to sign such a young, amazing talent like Rafael Camara

— Ayao Komatsu

Other Haas seat and driver changes

Haas have not announced who will drive their other car next season. Briton Oliver Bearman, a fellow Ferrari driver academy member, is widely expected to be confirmed for a third season.

Frenchman Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of the year after two seasons alongside Bearman, Haas confirmed last month.

Camara's reaction

Camara called the move an important step in his career and thanked owner Gene Haas and Komatsu for their trust. He said his focus is now on preparing for the challenge, adding that there will be a lot to learn and that he looks forward to working with the team and continuing to develop as a driver.