Haas confirm Rafael Camara for 2027 on multi-year deal as F2 leader replaces Esteban Ocon

Haas have confirmed Rafael Camara as a Formula 1 race driver from 2027. The 21-year-old Brazilian, part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, signs a multi-year deal and takes the seat Esteban Ocon will leave at the end of this season. The team announced the move on Thursday, 15 October, little more than a week before the United States Grand Prix in Austin. It makes Camara the latest graduate of the junior ladder to win a place on the 2027 grid.

A junior who has won at every step

Camara arrives with a strong record in the feeder series. He won the FIA Formula 3 title in 2025 and stepped up to Formula 2 this year, where he leads the standings with two rounds left. That gives him the chance to join F1 as the reigning F2 champion. Plenty of recent rookies have arrived with weaker credentials.

As a Ferrari junior, Camara follows a well-trodden path to Haas, which uses Ferrari power units and has a long technical partnership with the Italian team. Oliver Bearman, also a product of the Ferrari academy, made the same move and has spent the past two seasons with the American-owned outfit.

Why Haas chose him

Haas did not rush the choice. Several candidates drove the team's previous-generation car in private testing, known as TPC, at Portimao in Portugal. Reports say the shortlist included McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli, Toyota driver Ryo Hirakawa and Haas reserve Jack Doohan. By the end it was reportedly a straight choice between Camara and Doohan.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu gave a blunt explanation of the decision: "He was the quickest." Komatsu also praised the Brazilian's talent. Camara, for his part, called the move an important step in his career and said his focus is now on preparing for the challenge.

What it means for Ocon, Bearman and Doohan

Ocon's departure was confirmed in September. He will finish his second season with the team at the final round of 2026 before leaving. His plans for 2027 have not been formally announced.

Camara is the first of Haas's two 2027 drivers to be confirmed. Bearman is widely expected to keep the other seat, but the team has not yet made it official. Komatsu indicated the remaining paperwork should be finished soon.

Doohan, who lost his Alpine seat to Franco Colapinto after six rounds of the 2025 season before joining Haas as reserve, misses out again. Komatsu said the Australian's future remains open and that the team is still talking to him about working together beyond 2026.

The wider 2027 picture

The announcement follows earlier reports linking Camara to the seat. With Haas now settled on at least one driver, attention turns to Racing Bulls, who still have to decide their 2027 line-up and have said a call will come in the coming weeks.

For Camara, the immediate job is to close out the F2 title, with two rounds of the championship still to run before he turns his full attention to F1 preparation.

Key takeaways

• Haas confirmed Rafael Camara, 21, on a multi-year deal starting in 2027.
• Camara is the 2025 F3 champion and leads the 2026 F2 standings with two rounds remaining.
• He replaces Esteban Ocon, whose exit was confirmed in September.
• Oliver Bearman is expected to stay, but his 2027 seat is not yet officially confirmed.
• Jack Doohan missed out after a final shoot-out with Camara, though Haas say talks continue.

FAQ

Who will replace Esteban Ocon at Haas? Rafael Camara, the Brazilian Ferrari academy driver who leads Formula 2, will take Ocon's seat from 2027.

Is Oliver Bearman staying at Haas in 2027? He is widely expected to, but Haas had not confirmed his 2027 seat when Camara was announced. Komatsu expects it to be finalised soon.

When is the next F1 race? The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin runs from 23 to 25 October. In Malaysia, the race falls in the early hours of Monday, 26 October.

Sources: Sky Sports, PlanetF1, RacingNews365, Speedweek