Haas F1 signs rookie Camara to multi-year contract from 2027

TGR Haas F1 Team has announced Formula 2 title contender Rafael Camara will join the team as one of its race drivers on a multi-year contract starting in 2027.

Camara is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy – as is the Brazilian’s expected future teammate Oliver Bearman – and currently leads the F2 standings by seven points from Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov. The reigning F3 champion, Camara will replace Esteban Ocon next season, having impressed Haas as one of the drivers it tested as part of its driver evaluation program this year.

“I’m very happy to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team as a Formula 1 driver,” Camara said. “It’s an important step in my career and I want to thank Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for the trust they have placed in me.

“I’m also very grateful to the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy for their support and for everything they have contributed to my development over the years, as well as to my family for always being there throughout this journey.

“Now my focus is on preparing myself in the best possible way for this new challenge. There will be a lot to learn, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the team, understanding the car and continuing to develop as a driver.”

The 21-year-old ran for Haas during a testing of previous car (TPC) outing at Portimao in August, when he was benchmarked against Bearman and the likes of Ryo Hirakawa, with team principal Ayao Komatsu praising his approach to that audition.

“I’m really excited to sign such a young, amazing talent like Rafael Camara,” Komatsu said. “I don’t need to tell everyone about his achievements in the junior formulas, it’s been very impressive, and in his rookie season in Formula 2, the speed he’s shown in some very difficult moments, like qualifying in Monaco and Montreal – that all goes to show the potential Rafa has.

“He showed when we had him drive in our TPC program in Portugal that he could handle himself very well with not a huge amount of time to learn the car, he showed us more than just raw speed. Rafa managed to create an environment to get the best out of himself, it was very impressive and certainly the laps he completed were special.

“We’re all excited about this opportunity and really committed as TGR Haas F1 Team to nurture this talent and provide a place where he can flourish. We want to create an environment where he’s comfortable and supported, where he can really excel in his capabilities.”

Haas team owner Gene Haas also offered his thoughts on the new addition, and says he has faith that Camara can succeed given the performances shown by Bearman since becoming a full-time F1 driver.

“I’m excited to see what Rafael Camara can achieve in Formula 1 having seen his accomplishments coming up through the ranks in Formula 3 and now Formula 2 this year,” Haas said. “It’s a different challenge at this level but what we’ve experienced through Ollie Bearman following a similar trajectory and association with the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, these younger drivers are well prepared, and they can make an immediate impact on a team. Rafa impressed the team with his TPC performance, so we look forward to building on that and growing our relationship full-time next season.”

Bearman’s future was not confirmed alongside the Camara announcement, but the British driver is expected to continue in his seat to form what will be an all-Ferrari junior driver line-up next season.