Komatsu says Camara’s performance in shootout test won the Haas team over

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu says Rafael Camara delivered an outstanding performance in a shootout test to secure a Formula 1 race seat for 2027.

It was announced earlier today that the Formula 2 championship leader will step up to F1 next season in place of Esteban Ocon, as Haas opts for an all-Ferrari young driver line-up. Set to be paired with Oliver Bearman, Camara beat competition from reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa, as well as McLaren’s Leonardo Fornaroli, and Komatsu (pictured at left, above, with Camara) says the Brazilian was clearly the quickest option when he was assessed.

“I always said we’re going to choose drivers by performance and then through those evaluations Rafa just showed incredible speed and feel, so that was the fully overriding factor above everything else,” Komatsu said. “We have a good relationship with Ferrari, but that just means that gives us the access to FDA drivers. So when we had Ollie in the Mexico FP1, that was largely because of that, then we were really impressed so we got him to do six FP1s in the following year, then we had a chance to sign him for ’25 last year.

“Rafa was the same – we are watching his progress and then qualifying like Monaco and Montreal, what he’s done this year was really impressive. So having that relationship with Ferrari gave us the chance to have access to Rafa. And then in the Portimao TPC (testing of a previous car) test, he was just simply outstanding. So I really don’t have a huge concerns.

“Of course, there’s risks involved in everything, right? Whatever the decision you take. But for me, we really wanted to go for someone who’s got this natural speed and feeling, because that’s something you cannot teach.

“If you look at some of the F2 races, sometimes he races very well, good time management, but sometimes he doesn’t. Sometimes his race craft can be improved, but those things I believe we can work together to improve, but we cannot teach feelings. Feelings he’s got.

“That was very, very clear in Portimao testing because the track condition was always changing, track temperature, wind condition. On top of that, we had some issues with tire vibration as well… All the variations and difficulties thrown at him, he really judged it very, very well in a very calm manner, professional manner. So overall, that was a clear choice for us.”

Camara is set to partner Bearman in 2027 despite the current Haas driver having yet to be announced, with Komatsu saying it’s a formality for the team to confirm his future.

“I cannot go into certain contractual details, but for me, of course I’d like to continue with Ollie,” he said. “He’s an incredible talent and he showed amazing growth. He’s shown that he’s ready to be a team leader. And then you also have his Singapore [performance], which was very, very impressive.

“It’s just a matter of timing. It’s just a matter of finalizing certain details. But yes, it is our intention to continue with Ollie, but the formal announcement will come in due course.”