Rafael Câmara joins Haas F1 team, replacing Esteban Ocon
Brazilian racing driver Rafael Câmara will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas in 2027, replacing Esteban Ocon and joining Oliver Bearman in an all-Ferrari junior line-up.
The 20-year-old joins the American team on a multi-year contract after an impressive rise through the junior categories, including winning the Formula Regional European Championship in 2024 and the Formula 3 title in 2025.
Câmara, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2022, has spent the 2026 season racing for Invicta Racing in Formula 2, where he has emerged as one of the championship’s leading contenders.
The call has been answered. Welcome, Rafael Câmara ☎️🇧🇷 #HaasF1 #F1 https://t.co/g0ilNvGHMj
— TGR Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) October 15, 2026
His promotion follows Haas’ decision to part ways with Ocon after two seasons. The Frenchman, who joined the team from Alpine in 2025, will leave at the end of the current campaign.
Câmara had been widely regarded as the favourite for the vacant seat, having impressed Haas during private tests in older Formula 1 machinery.
Camara and Komatsu
«I’m very happy to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team as a Formula 1 driver,» said the driver. «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.»
Signed, sealed, delivered. 🇧🇷✍️ We’re excited to announce the signing of Rafael Câmara on a multi-year contract. The Brazilian racer will make the step up to Formula 1 at the start of the 2027 season. #HaasF1 #F1 https://t.co/C4AsVgGgw8
— TGR Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) October 15, 2026
Team principal Ayao Komatsu said about Camara: «I’m really excited to sign such a young, amazing talent like Camara. 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.»
Who is Rafael Câmara?
Born in Recife, Brazil, Câmara began his racing career in karting before moving to single-seaters in 2022.
He quickly established himself as a promising young driver, finishing second in the Formula 4 UAE Championship and third in both Italian F4 and ADAC Formula 4 during his debut season.
He moved to Formula Regional in 2023, finishing third in the Middle East championship, before repeating that result in 2024. Later that year, he claimed his first major single-seater title by winning the Formula Regional European Championship.
His breakthrough came in 2025, when he dominated the Formula 3 championship with Trident.
Câmara recorded four Feature Race victories, five pole positions and five podium finishes, securing the title in Hungary with one round remaining. His five pole positions set a new championship record.
The Brazilian then joined Invicta Racing for the 2026 Formula 2 season, following the path taken by fellow Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto and Italian driver Leonardo Fornaroli.
His performances attracted attention from several Formula 1 teams, including Cadillac, before Haas emerged as the leading contender to secure his services.
Ferrari strengthens its presence at Haas
Câmara’s arrival gives Haas two drivers associated with Ferrari’s development programme.
Bearman, who joined the American outfit in 2025, is also a Ferrari Academy graduate and has been regarded as a potential candidate for a future seat at the Italian team.
The pairing reflects Haas’ longstanding technical relationship with Ferrari, which supplies the American team with power units and other components.
Câmara has already gained experience in Formula 1 machinery through private tests with Ferrari and Haas, giving both teams an opportunity to assess his speed and technical feedback.
His arrival also brings another Brazilian driver onto the F1 grid alongside Audi‘s Gabriel Bortoleto, who made his debut with Sauber in 2025.
For Ocon, the decision leaves his Formula 1 future uncertain. The Frenchman, who claimed his only Grand Prix victory with Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, has insisted that he intends to continue competing in the championship.
The 2027 season will mark Câmara’s first opportunity to establish himself at the highest level of motorsport after progressing through three junior single-seater championships in five years.
