Haas has signed Brazilian racing driver Rafael Camara on a multi-year contract, promoting the Ferrari junior to Formula 1 for the 2027 season. The 21-year-old will replace Esteban Ocon, who is set to leave the American-owned team at the end of 2026.
The announcement marks a major milestone in Camara’s career. The Brazilian currently leads the Formula 2 championship after winning the Formula 3 title in 2025.
Camara earns his first Formula 1 seat
Camara has progressed through the junior single-seater racing categories with support from the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, which he joined in 2021. His performances in Formula 3 and Formula 2 have helped establish him as one of the promising young drivers in the sport.
In his 2025 Formula 3 campaign, the Brazilian secured the championship before moving up to Formula 2 in 2026. With two rounds remaining in the season, he leads the F2 standings by seven points over Red Bull-backed driver Nikola Tsolov.
His promotion to Haas will give him the opportunity to compete against established drivers on the Formula 1 grid from next season.
Why Haas chose the Ferrari junior
Haas evaluated several candidates to fill the seat being vacated by Ocon. Camara impressed the team during a Testing of Previous Car programme in Portugal in August, where he drove the team’s 2025 Formula 1 car.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu highlighted Camara’s pace, adaptability and maturity during the test. He said the Brazilian demonstrated more than outright speed, showing that he could learn the car quickly and deliver strong performance.
The signing also strengthens the connection between Haas and Ferrari’s driver development programme, which has helped prepare young drivers for F1.
Ocon prepares to leave Haas
Ocon confirmed in September that he would depart Haas at the end of the 2026 season. The Frenchman joined the team in 2025 after leaving Alpine and has continued to pursue opportunities in Formula 1.
Camara’s arrival settles the question of who will take Ocon’s seat for 2027. Haas has yet to formally confirm all details of its future driver line-up, although the team has expressed its intention to continue working with Oliver Bearman.
Australian driver Jack Doohan, who has served as a reserve driver, was also among the candidates considered for the vacant seat.
What Camara’s promotion means for Formula 1
Camara will become the second Brazilian driver on the 2027 grid if the current line-up remains unchanged, joining Gabriel Bortoleto, who races for Audi.
His promotion reflects the growing importance of junior racing championships as teams identify emerging talent. Winning Formula 3 and challenging for the Formula 2 title in his rookie season have helped Camara build a strong case for a place in the sport’s top category.
The move will now shift his focus towards preparing for the demands of Formula 1, including learning the team’s systems, working with engineers and adapting to the pace of a full Grand Prix season.
For Haas, signing a championship-leading young driver represents an investment in its future as the team continues to develop its competitiveness on the grid.
