Haas Newcomer Rafael Camara Motivated by Kimi Antonelli's Success

Rafael Camara, soon to join the Haas team for the 2027 Formula 1 season, has shared how the achievements of his former rival, Kimi Antonelli, serve as a source of inspiration. Recently announced as the successor to Esteban Ocon at Haas, Camara is set to be the first rookie confirmed for the 2027 F1 grid.

The Brazilian will join his compatriot Gabriel Bortoleto from Audi and Argentine Franco Colapinto from Alpine, adding to the South American presence in the sport. Having transitioned to car racing, Camara frequently faced off against the current F1 championship contender, Antonelli. Though Antonelli often came out on top with a string of championship wins that expedited his F1 entry, Camara eventually found his stride. He clinched the Formula Regional European title and then the F3 championship in his first year.

Currently, Camara is leading the F2 standings by seven points, showcasing his potential. Reflecting on Antonelli's impressive start in F1, Camara remarked, "It's very nice to see Kimi this year. It's been really amazing what he's doing. It motivates me to keep working hard and improving myself. But my focus is on making the most of next year and learning to ensure it's a good year."

While Haas has yet to officially announce, team principal Ayao Komastsu has hinted that Camara will likely team up with fellow Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman in 2027. Camara expressed enthusiasm about this potential partnership, saying, "It would be great to have Ollie as a teammate. He's a good benchmark to learn from, and I'll aim to be as competitive as possible to support the team. I think it will be a good year together, learning as much as possible and helping the team. Enjoying the first year in Formula One is a major goal, something I've worked towards all along."

Clearly, Camara's sights are set on making a strong impression in his debut Formula 1 season, drawing motivation from Antonelli's trajectory while preparing to carve out his own path.