News Summary
- Gene Haas was reportedly impressed by Rafael Câmara’s performance during a private Formula 1 test at Portimão.
- Câmara is now considered the leading candidate to partner Oliver Bearman at Haas in 2027.
- Esteban Ocon’s departure and Câmara’s promotion have not yet been officially confirmed.
Rafael Câmara has emerged as the reported favourite to join Haas for the 2027 Formula 1 season after impressing team owner Gene Haas during a private test at Portimão.
According to Italian publication AutoRacer, Câmara’s performance strengthened an already convincing case for promotion from Formula 2. The 21-year-old reportedly outperformed Leonardo Fornaroli during the comparative running and now has the personal support of the American team’s owner.
The Brazilian is being evaluated as a potential replacement for Esteban Ocon alongside Oliver Bearman, who is expected to remain with Haas in 2027. No agreement has been announced, but the report describes a Câmara–Bearman line-up as close to being completed.
Câmara is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and has maintained close links with Maranello throughout his progression through the junior categories. Haas will continue using Ferrari power units in 2027 despite the expansion of its technical and commercial partnership with Toyota.
Câmara delivers when Haas puts candidates to the test
Haas organised the Portimão test to compare drivers being considered for its second seat. Câmara, Fornaroli and Ryō Hirakawa have all featured in the discussion, with each candidate carrying the support of a major manufacturer.
Câmara is backed by Ferrari, Fornaroli has links to McLaren and Hirakawa represents Toyota, which became Haas’s title partner for the 2026 season. Toyota’s growing influence initially appeared likely to strengthen Hirakawa’s position, but Câmara’s pace has reportedly moved him ahead in the selection process.
During the test, the candidates were assessed against reference data produced by Bearman. Câmara was reportedly the closest despite having less Formula 1 experience than some of his rivals and no previous knowledge of the Portuguese circuit.
His speed was not the only factor noted by Haas. The team also evaluated technical feedback, consistency, adaptation and the drivers’ ability to avoid mistakes while operating unfamiliar machinery.
F2 title challenge strengthens Câmara’s case
Câmara’s push towards Formula 1 is being reinforced by his rookie campaign in Formula 2. The reigning Formula 3 champion is now only 7 points behind Nikola Tsolov in the championship with 67 still available during the remaining rounds.
That title fight provides Haas with another opportunity to judge how Câmara performs under pressure. He has already recovered from a difficult spell earlier in the season and reduced a championship deficit that once appeared likely to remove him from contention.
The latest Formula 2 results and championship developments have therefore become increasingly relevant to Haas’s decision. Winning the title is not necessarily a requirement for promotion, but it would further support Câmara’s claim that he is ready to move directly into Formula 1.
Câmara and Bearman would form one of the youngest driver combinations on the grid. It would also give Ferrari two academy graduates inside Haas, although the American team’s expanding relationship with Toyota adds another political layer to the decision.
Ocon future remains unresolved
The proposed move depends on Haas releasing Ocon from the seat. The Frenchman joined the team in 2025 and remained for the beginning of the new technical regulations, but his position beyond 2026 has become uncertain.
Haas has not publicly confirmed that Ocon will leave or that Câmara is its preferred replacement. Until the team announces its decision, Gene Haas’s reported support represents a significant change in the selection process rather than confirmation of the final line-up.
The decision is expected to involve more than outright performance. Driver salaries, manufacturer relationships, commercial support and the team’s need for experience under the new regulations will all be considered.
For Câmara, however, the central task has already been completed: when Haas provided an opportunity to establish an internal hierarchy, he reportedly produced the strongest performance.
The Formula 1 season continues with the Azerbaijan GP in Baku from September 24–26, while Câmara’s F2 title campaign resumes during the championship’s next scheduled round.
FAQ
Is Rafael Câmara joining Haas in 2027?
Haas has not officially confirmed Câmara for 2027. However, he is reportedly the leading candidate to replace Esteban Ocon after impressing Gene Haas during a private test.
