Haas F1 have announced the signing of Brazilian Rafael Câmara, who will race for the team in 2027.
The 21-year-old will replace Esteban Ocon at Haas, after it was recently announced that the Frenchman would leave the team at the end of the current season.
Câmara is currently racing for Invicta Racing in Formula 2, where he is leading the Drivers’ Championship standings on 207 points with two rounds left to go in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. He currently has three wins from races in Spain, Belgium and Azerbaijan, and seven podium finishes so far this season. Câmara made the step up to F2 this year after winning the F3 Drivers’ title with Trident Motorsport in 2025.
The Brazilian has been part of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021, something he shares with new teammate Ollie Bearman, who joined the Prancing Horse in 2022. The Italian team has overseen his progression through the ranks of single-seater racing, where he has competed in the Italian F4 Championship, Formula Regional Middle East Championship and Formula Regional European Championship before stepping up to F3 in 2025. He brings some F1 experience to Haas, having taken part in various test opportunities with Ferrari.
Credit: Haas F1
Câmara has already been behind the wheel of a Haas F1 car in August this year, where he tested the team’s VF-25 at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal
He was reportedly selected for the seat at Haas ahead of F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Haas reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa, with all being assessed in previous years’ F1 cars.
“The laps he completed were special”
Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas F1 said: “I’m really excited to sign such a young, amazing talent like Rafael Câmara.”
“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 program 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.”
“It’s a different challenge at this level”
Gene Haas, Team Owner of Haas F1 commented: “I’m excited to see what Rafael Câmara can achieve in Formula 1 having seen his accomplishments coming up through the ranks in Formula 3 and now Formula 2 this year.
It’s a different challenge at this level but what we’ve experienced through Ollie Bearman following a similar trajectory and association with the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, these younger drivers are well prepared, and they can make an immediate impact on a team. Rafa impressed the team with his TPC performance, so we look forward to building on that and growing our relationship full-time next season.”
“There will be a lot to learn”
Rafael Câmara said: “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.”
Haas now head to their next F1 race in a week’s time, where they will be on home soil for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
words: Mike Booth
picture: Ferrari