{"id":4050,"date":"2026-10-15T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4050"},"modified":"2026-10-15T11:06:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T14:06:20","slug":"haas-confirms-ferrari-protege-rafael-camara-for-2027-as-ocon-loses-f1-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/haas-confirms-ferrari-protege-rafael-camara-for-2027-as-ocon-loses-f1-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"Haas confirms Ferrari protege Rafael C\u00e2mara for 2027 as Ocon loses F1 seat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Haas has confirmed Rafael C\u00e2mara as its new Formula 1 driver for 2027<\/strong>, replacing Esteban Ocon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>21-year-old Brazilian has signed a multi-year agreement<\/strong> and will race alongside Oliver Bearman.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C\u00e2mara&#8217;s promotion means <strong>Brazil will have two full-time F1 drivers for the first time since 2016<\/strong>, with Gabriel Bortoleto continuing at Audi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Haas has officially confirmed Rafael C\u00e2mara as its new Formula 1 driver for the 2027 season<\/strong>, handing the Ferrari Driver Academy graduate a multi-year contract to replace Esteban Ocon alongside Oliver Bearman. The announcement on Thursday, October 15, completes one of the most closely watched driver-market negotiations of the year and gives Brazil two full-time representatives on the grid for the first time in more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 21-year-old arrives from Formula 2, where he leads the championship in his rookie season with Invicta Racing. His promotion follows a series of tests with Ferrari and Haas, which allowed the American team to evaluate his performance against other candidates before making its final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara will form an all-Ferrari Academy pairing with Bearman, strengthening the connection between Haas and its long-standing power-unit supplier. Both drivers have progressed through Ferrari&#8217;s development programme, although Bearman already has extensive Formula 1 experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement also confirms that <strong>Ocon will leave Haas at the end of 2026<\/strong>, concluding his two-season spell with the American organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How C\u00e2mara beat his rivals to the Haas seat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara&#8217;s appointment follows a selection process involving several experienced and highly rated drivers. Haas evaluated Leonardo Fornaroli, Ry\u014d Hirakawa and Jack Doohan, while Ocon was initially considered for another season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team organised tests with previous-generation Formula 1 machinery to compare the candidates. At Portim\u00e3o in August, C\u00e2mara drove alongside other contenders, with Bearman providing a reference for the team&#8217;s assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Brazilian had already gained experience in Ferrari machinery, including outings in the SF-25 at Mugello and Imola. Those sessions formed part of a preparation programme intended to accelerate his adaptation to Formula 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/camara-closes-in-on-haas-f1-seat-as-fornaroli-drops-out-of-contention\/\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO reported during the selection process<\/strong><\/a>, Fornaroli was informed that he would not receive the seat, leaving C\u00e2mara and Toyota-backed Hirakawa as the remaining principal candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Brazilian&#8217;s position was strengthened by his performances in testing and Ferrari&#8217;s support. Team owner Gene Haas was also reported to have been impressed by C\u00e2mara&#8217;s work, while team principal Ayao Komatsu assessed the candidates&#8217; speed, consistency and ability to integrate into the organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Komatsu explained the qualities Haas was looking for in its next driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;What we&#8217;re looking for in a driver, first and foremost, is the guy needs to have speed, the guy needs to be fast,&#8221; Komatsu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also stressed the importance of teamwork, particularly for an organisation operating with fewer resources than Formula 1&#8217;s largest manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The two drivers, the integration into the team, how they motivate and drive the team, is very important,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subsequent decision to release Ocon opened the way for C\u00e2mara&#8217;s promotion, while Ferrari&#8217;s established relationship with Haas made the Brazilian an attractive option for the American team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rafa-camara-f2-feature-3-2026-baku-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"F2 2026, AZERBAIJ\u00c3O, INVICTA, RAFAEL C\u00c2MARA\" class=\"wp-image-1020316121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rafa-camara-f2-feature-3-2026-baku-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rafa-camara-f2-feature-3-2026-baku-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rafa-camara-f2-feature-3-2026-baku-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rafa-camara-f2-feature-3-2026-baku-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rafa-camara-f2-feature-3-2026-baku-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rafa-camara-f2-feature-3-2026-baku-1-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rafa-camara-f2-feature-3-2026-baku-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rafael C\u00e2mara (Foto: F2)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ferrari&#8217;s investment in C\u00e2mara pays off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022 and developed through the European junior categories before establishing himself as one of the most promising drivers in single-seater racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His breakthrough came in <strong>2025, when he won the Formula 3 championship in his rookie season<\/strong> with Trident. He secured victories in Australia, Bahrain, Spain and Hungary, clinching the title with a round remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His qualifying performances were equally impressive. C\u00e2mara recorded <strong>five pole positions<\/strong>, setting a new Formula 3 record and demonstrating the outright pace that subsequently attracted Haas&#8217;s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Brazilian moved to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2026 and continued his rapid progression. He has secured multiple victories and podium finishes, moving into the championship lead after the Azerbaijan round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His performances strengthened Ferrari&#8217;s determination to secure a Formula 1 opportunity rather than keep him in the junior categories for another season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/rafael-camara-says-he-is-ready-for-f1-after-ferrari-and-haas-tests\/\"><strong>C\u00e2mara had already declared himself ready for Formula 1 after testing with Ferrari and Haas<\/strong><\/a>, explaining that the greatest adjustment would involve the demands of competing at the highest level rather than simply driving a faster car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Yes. I don&#8217;t see why I wouldn&#8217;t be ready,&#8221; C\u00e2mara said when asked about the prospect of making his debut in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He acknowledged that Formula 1 would bring additional responsibilities, but insisted that the driving itself remained the part of the challenge he enjoyed most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;If I am in F1 in 2027, it will also be a dream fulfilled, because you work your whole life for that opportunity,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That ambition has now become reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brazil returns to two-driver F1 representation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara&#8217;s arrival has particular significance for Brazilian motorsport. With Gabriel Bortoleto continuing at Audi, <strong>Brazil will have two full-time Formula 1 drivers in 2027<\/strong>, ending a period in which the country was represented by either one driver or none.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The last season featuring two Brazilian full-time drivers was <strong>2016<\/strong>, when Felipe Massa raced for Williams and Felipe Nasr competed for Sauber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara and Bortoleto now represent a new generation of Brazilian talent, both having established themselves through strong performances in the junior categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their careers have followed different paths. Bortoleto won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles in consecutive seasons before reaching Formula 1, while C\u00e2mara secured the F3 championship and moved into contention for the F2 title during his first season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara&#8217;s move also gives Haas one of the youngest driver combinations on the grid. Bearman will enter his third full season in Formula 1 in 2027, while his new teammate will be making his championship debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pairing creates an opportunity for Haas to build around two drivers with long-term development potential, although the team will also need to manage the challenges associated with a relatively inexperienced line-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ocon leaves Haas as 2027 grid takes shape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara replaces Ocon after the Frenchman&#8217;s two seasons with Haas. The former Alpine driver joined the American team in 2025 but was unable to establish a consistently competitive position as the organisation struggled during parts of the 2026 championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haas confirmed Ocon&#8217;s departure at the end of September, allowing the team to complete its evaluation of potential replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Frenchman, who won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with Alpine, has not confirmed his next Formula 1 destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Haas, the decision marks another stage in its collaboration with Ferrari, which has provided power units since the team&#8217;s Formula 1 debut in 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement also completes a lengthy driver-market process that had intensified after C\u00e2mara&#8217;s strong performances in Formula 2 and his testing appearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 returns for the <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/f1-united-states-gp-2026-austin-schedule-start-times-and-how-to-watch\/\"><strong>United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 23\u201325<\/strong><\/a>, where Haas will compete on home soil with Bearman and Ocon before the latter&#8217;s departure. <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> will follow the team&#8217;s preparations and the 2027 driver market through its <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1 coverage<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Haas confirms Ferrari junior Rafael C\u00e2mara on a multi-year F1 deal for 2027, replacing Esteban Ocon alongside Oliver Bearman and giving Brazil two drivers on the grid.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020313026,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Rafael C\u00e2mara","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Ferrari","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_ai_content_disclaimer":"","42wp_is_ai_content":false,"42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":13,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[375,244,203,67],"42wp_author":[13],"class_list":["post-4050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-esteban-ocon","tag-haas","tag-oliver-bearman","tag-rafael-camara","42wp_author-luana-marino"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4050","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=4050"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4051,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4050\/revisions\/4051"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020313026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4050"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=4050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}