F2 leader Camara signs multi-year Haas deal to replace Ocon in 2027

Rafael Camara will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas in 2027, the team confirmed, with the 21-year-old Brazilian signing a multi-year deal to replace Esteban Ocon. He is expected to partner Oliver Bearman, forming an all-Ferrari-academy lineup at the American outfit.

Ocon’s departure was confirmed on 30 September, ending a two-season stint that failed to deliver the results Haas had hoped for. Camara was the frontrunner to claim the vacant seat after a rapid ascent through the junior categories — he won the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship and the 2025 F3 title, both in dominant fashion.

He currently leads the F2 standings with Invicta, holding a seven-point advantage over Nikola Tsolov. Should he clinch that title, Camara would become the only driver in history to have won FRECA, F3 and F2 in three consecutive seasons.

“I’m very happy to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team as a Formula 1 driver,” Camara 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.”

Camara’s Ferrari academy ties almost certainly strengthened his case. Bearman is also a Ferrari academy product, and the Scuderia maintains a close technical relationship with Haas, supplying the team’s power unit among other components.

Haas evaluated several candidates before settling on Camara, including reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa. All three took part in Testing of Previous Cars programmes, most notably a three-day evaluation at Portimao in August.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu was effusive in his assessment of the signing. “I’m really excited to sign such a young, amazing talent like Rafael Camara,” he said. “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.”

Camara’s arrival gives Haas a clear direction heading into 2027, pairing two young Ferrari-backed drivers as the team looks to build on a more competitive recent period.