Haas Confirms Rafael Camara as 2027 F1 Driver, Replacing Departing Esteban Ocon

Key points

• Rafael Camara will debut in Formula 1 with Haas in 2027, replacing Esteban Ocon.
• Ocon is leaving the team at the end of 2026 after two seasons of underperformance relative to his teammate.
• Camara is currently leading the Formula 2 championship, ahead of Nikola Tsolov by seven points.
• The selection process included evaluations at Portimao in August, where Camara outperformed Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa.
• Oliver Bearman is expected to retain his seat, completing a driver lineup of two Ferrari academy graduates.

Background

In late September 2026, Haas officially confirmed Esteban Ocon's departure following two years of inconsistent results. At that time, five candidates were identified for the 2027 seat, including Camara, Fornaroli, and Liam Lawson. The team had been evaluating potential replacements through testing programs, with a significant three-day session held at Portimao in August serving as a key assessment point for the final decision.

How outlets are covering it

Motorsport.com and BBC agree that Camara was selected from a pool of four drivers, including reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa. While Motorsport.com emphasizes Camara's status as a Ferrari academy graduate and his dominance in junior formulas, BBC highlights the specific testing process at Portimao. The Race, though largely obscured by technical content in the provided source, aligns with the general consensus that Camara's selection was a logical outcome of his performance metrics and academy connections. All sources confirm that Oliver Bearman is expected to remain, creating a pairing of two young drivers from the Ferrari driver academy.

Why it matters

This signing marks a significant generational shift for Haas, replacing a veteran driver with a 21-year-old prodigy. Camara's potential to become the first driver to win FRECA, F3, and F2 in consecutive seasons underscores the team's focus on developing raw talent. The move also solidifies the strategic partnership between Haas and Ferrari, as both drivers in the 2027 lineup are academy members, potentially influencing technical support and power unit integration.

What to watch

Haas is expected to officially confirm Oliver Bearman's retention for the 2027 season, finalizing the driver lineup. Camara will now focus on preparation for his debut, while the team evaluates the remaining open seats in the grid, particularly at Racing Bulls, where Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are expected to continue. The 2027 season will serve as the first test of Camara's transition from junior formulas to the top tier of motorsport.