{"id":3075,"date":"2026-09-30T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=3075"},"modified":"2026-09-30T16:33:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T19:33:56","slug":"camara-closes-in-on-haas-f1-seat-as-fornaroli-drops-out-of-contention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/camara-closes-in-on-haas-f1-seat-as-fornaroli-drops-out-of-contention\/","title":{"rendered":"C\u00e2mara closes in on Haas F1 seat as Fornaroli drops out of contention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rafael C\u00e2mara is close to securing the Haas seat vacated by Esteban Ocon for 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leonardo Fornaroli has been informed he is no longer in contention, <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> understands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ry\u014d Hirakawa remains the alternative, but Haas has not announced its final choice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rafael C\u00e2mara is closing in on a Haas race seat for the <strong>2027 <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">F1<\/a> season<\/strong>, with Leonardo Fornaroli now out of contention. <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> understands the Italian has been formally informed that he will not be selected, leaving Ry\u014d Hirakawa as the Brazilian\u2019s remaining theoretical rival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The development follows Haas\u2019s confirmation that <strong>Esteban Ocon will leave at the end of 2026<\/strong>. C\u00e2mara is in a strongly favourable position to replace him alongside Oliver Bearman, although the team has not announced a signing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The distinction is important: Ocon\u2019s departure is official, while C\u00e2mara\u2019s promotion remains dependent on Haas completing its decision and announcing its next driver. Fornaroli\u2019s elimination nevertheless removes a significant competitor from the selection process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fornaroli\u2019s elimination narrows the Haas decision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haas had considered a broader group of candidates, including Ocon, C\u00e2mara, Fornaroli, Hirakawa and Jack Doohan. The team used previous-car testing to assess drivers before deciding how to approach its 2027 line-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fornaroli participated in the evaluation at Portim\u00e3o and had been regarded as a serious contender. His status as the 2025 Formula 2 champion and his connection to McLaren\u2019s development programme gave his candidacy considerable weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He has now been told that he will not receive the seat. With Ocon departing and Doohan no longer a leading contender, the decision has narrowed to C\u00e2mara and Hirakawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ferrari preparation and Gene Haas backing strengthen C\u00e2mara\u2019s case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara\u2019s preparation included Ferrari running before the comparative Haas test. His <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/camara-drives-sf-25-at-mugello-to-prepare-for-2027-haas-seat-test\/\">SF-25 outing at Mugello formed part of the build-up to the Portim\u00e3o evaluation<\/a>, where Bearman provided a reference for the candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Brazilian also gained the backing of the team\u2019s owner. <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/gene-haas-backing-reportedly-puts-camara-in-pole-position-for-2027-f1-seat\/\">Gene Haas was reportedly impressed by C\u00e2mara\u2019s performance in Portugal<\/a>, strengthening a candidacy supported by Ferrari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That relationship gives Haas an established route for bringing another Ferrari-trained driver into its line-up. Bearman already followed that path, while C\u00e2mara\u2019s tests have allowed the team to assess his readiness beyond his results in junior racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara has also made his own position clear. Asked whether he felt prepared for a full-time Formula 1 opportunity, he expressed confidence after working with both teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes. I don\u2019t see why I wouldn\u2019t be ready,\u201d C\u00e2mara said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His assessment of those experiences is detailed in <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/rafael-camara-says-he-is-ready-for-f1-after-ferrari-and-haas-tests\/\">C\u00e2mara\u2019s explanation of how Ferrari and Haas testing prepared him for F1<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Hirakawa remains an alternative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hirakawa\u2019s candidacy is supported by Toyota, Haas\u2019s technical partner. His experience in testing and car development gives the team a different profile to consider against C\u00e2mara\u2019s potential for a longer-term project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese driver has won Le Mans and the <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/endurance\/wec\/\">WEC<\/a> with Toyota. His endurance background and Formula 1 test work therefore carry sporting value alongside the relationship between the manufacturer and Haas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara offers a different proposition: a young driver progressing through the single-seater ladder, supported by Ferrari and already evaluated against the other candidates. Hirakawa remains an option, but the Brazilian has moved considerably closer to securing the opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ocon will complete the season before leaving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haas announced Ocon\u2019s departure on Wednesday, 30 September. The Frenchman joined in 2025 and will remain with the team through the final race of the current championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Team principal Ayao Komatsu acknowledged his contribution when confirming the separation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019d like to thank Esteban for everything he\u2019s contributed to the team since joining us in 2025,\u201d Komatsu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement formally opened the seat that C\u00e2mara has been pursuing. <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/haas-confirms-ocon-exit-as-camara-emerges-as-favourite-for-2027-seat\/\">The confirmation of Ocon\u2019s Haas exit<\/a> also established that the team will enter 2027 with a changed driver pairing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara\u2019s performances in <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f2\/\">Formula 2<\/a> and his work in Formula 1 machinery have brought him to the final stage of that process. With Fornaroli eliminated, the remaining question is whether Haas will complete the expected promotion or choose Hirakawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 returns to action at Sepang from <strong>2\u20134 October<\/strong> for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Haas heads into the weekend with Ocon\u2019s departure confirmed and the identity of his replacement still awaiting an official announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">F1 today: FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang on Sunday, 4 October, taking his first victory of the 2026 F1 season. Kimi Antonelli finished second, with Lewis Hamilton completing the podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why was the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia delayed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heavy rain initially delayed the start at Sepang. Several drivers then experienced power delivery problems during the formation procedure, forcing race control to suspend the start again. The race eventually began more than 90 minutes after its scheduled time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How far ahead is Kimi Antonelli in the F1 championship?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 84 points after finishing second at Sepang while his Mercedes teammate retired. Antonelli has 320 points, Russell has 236 and Lewis Hamilton is third with 214.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Has Rafael C\u00e2mara been confirmed by Haas for 2027?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. C\u00e2mara is close to securing the seat, but Haas has not officially announced him as Ocon\u2019s replacement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO understands Leonardo Fornaroli has been informed he will not replace Esteban Ocon, leaving Toyota-backed Ry\u014d Hirakawa as C\u00e2mara\u2019s remaining rival for 2027<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020316121,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Rafael C\u00e2mara","42wp_featured_image_credits":"F2","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":7,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[330,244,665,67],"42wp_author":[7],"class_list":["post-3075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-f1-2027","tag-haas","tag-leonardo-fornaroli","tag-rafael-camara","42wp_author-victor-martins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3075"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3079,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3075\/revisions\/3079"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020316121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3075"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=3075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}