Haas Confirms Rafael Camara as 2027 Driver in Multi-Year Deal

Haas has officially announced that Rafael Camara will join their F1 lineup for the 2027 season, partnering with Oliver Bearman. The 21-year-old, currently leading the Formula 2 championship, has inked a multi-year deal with the team, making him the first rookie confirmed for next year’s grid. Camara, a Ferrari junior, emerged as the top choice after Haas evaluated several drivers, including McLaren junior Leonardo Fornaroli and reserve driver Jack Doohan. The decision to bring in Camara indicates Haas's likely strategy of fielding two Ferrari juniors next year, with Bearman expected to stay on.

“I’m very happy to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team as a Formula 1 driver,” said Camara. He expressed gratitude to Gene Haas, team principal Ayao Komatsu, and the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy for their support. "Now my focus is on preparing myself in the best possible way for this new challenge," he added, eager to learn and grow with the team.

Camara’s rise is marked by his impressive rookie season in Formula 3 and his current lead in F2, where he’s ahead by seven points over Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov. Despite not having participated in an FP1 session yet, Camara has already had a taste of F1 machinery through a testing program at Portimao.

Ayao Komatsu, Haas's team principal, praised Camara's achievements in the junior categories. He highlighted Camara's ability to handle pressure, citing his performances in challenging conditions like those in Monaco and Montreal. "He showed when we had him drive in our TPC program in Portugal that he could handle himself very well," Komatsu noted, emphasizing Camara’s potential beyond just raw speed.

Komatsu expressed excitement about nurturing Camara's talent, stating the team's commitment to providing an environment where he can excel. With Haas's support, Camara aims to make a significant impact as he steps into the F1 arena.