Haas confirmed 21-year-old Brazilian Rafael Câmara on a multiyear deal for F1 in 2027. The Ferrari junior currently leads F2 and replaces Esteban Ocon, who leaves after the season. A subsequent F1 interview explains the two-day test behind his selection.
Selection assesses performance in an unfamiliar environment
Câmara drove Haas' 2025 car in older-car testing at Portimão in August. Ayao Komatsu said limited learning time revealed not just lap speed but methods for extracting performance.
F1 said Komatsu assessed four young drivers. Câmara recalled an unfamiliar circuit, team and car across two days; despite seat fitting, he had not met all staff. Concerned nerves could interfere, he tried relaxing and applying junior-racing methods. Haas valued quickly finding speed in different conditions with fewer errors.
F1 seat secured, F2 title fight unfinished
F1's October 15 report puts Câmara seven points ahead of Nikola Tsolov with two rounds left. He won F3 in 2025, but this year's F2 title is undecided. He wants to finish the current season properly, with a planned year-end young-driver test preparing his Haas arrival.
INKA SPORTS analysis: What Haas verified beyond results
The test examined quick performance outside familiar surroundings. Junior results demonstrate competitiveness after season-long adaptation; two days compressed learning into simultaneous familiarization and driving tasks. Komatsu's methods assessment and reported adaptability and error control explain selection through learning and execution. Full-weekend consistency awaits F1.
Conclusion
The sequence is clear: finish two F2 title rounds, then the planned young-driver test. Selection showed quick adaptation and a multiyear contract offers development time. In 2027, that two-day ability must extend across circuits and consecutive races.
