There’ll be a new face on the Formula 1 grid in 2027, with Haas signing promising talent and Brazilian F2 championship leader Rafael Camara.
Up until now, the Formula 1 driver market has been stable, with teams opting to renew drivers rather than switch things up.
However, it emerged after Baku that Haas would break with that strategy when the American team confirmed that one-time race winner Esteban Ocon would not get a third season.
With sophomore Ollie Bearman outperforming his team mate Ocon and some exciting young talent on the market, Team Principal Ayao Komatsu had decided to evaluate his options.
Utilising the Haas Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, he ran the likes of F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, current championship leader Camara and Haas reserve drivers Ryo Hirakawa and Jack Doohan.
It is believed that very quickly during the test in Portimao, Portugal, Camara stood out.
The Brazilian has got better and better during his season with Invicta Racing in F2, culminating in him taking the championship lead with two race weekends to go.
When the 21-year-old got behind the wheel of F1 machinery, his speed and ability to adapt and get on the pace quickly instantly shone through.
Ferrari, who have been a partner of Haas since the American team joined the sport in 2016, also rate him highly, having evaluated him both on and off track through their junior programme.
Add into the mix that Camara, who is the reigning F3 champion, is a very attractive proposition from a commercial perspective and it’s very easy to see why the Brazilian is such an attractive prospect.
It is a risk to promote a rookie, especially one who has yet to test current F1 machinery on a Grand Prix weekend, but Komatsu has taken confidence from successfully taking a chance on Bearman.
The Briton, who is also a Ferrari junior, has been stellar since joining Haas in 2025, with the American team showing they have what it takes to help a rising star move towards achieving their potential.
And so, with all that in mind, Haas decided to push ahead and sign Camara for next season, making him the second Brazilian on the grid alongside Gabriel Bortoleto.
Bearman favourite to retain his seat
There was no mention of who would be in the second seat at Haas, but sources say it will be Bearman.
The 21-year-old has levelled up in his second season with team, improving not only his single-lap pace but also his race craft.
He’s got a season’s best finish of fifth (in China) and has amassed 23 points to Ocon’s seven.
Komatsu is therefore keen to keep him and it is believed it is just a case of finalising a few small details before a new deal can be inked.
Ferrari are also understood to be happy with Bearman’s progress at Haas and want him to continue there for now.
Sources say the Briton remains in contention for a step up to the famous Italian team in the future.
