Haas Sign F2 Leader Câmara to Replace Ocon for 2027
Haas has filled one of its 2027 seats. The team has signed Brazil's Rafael Câmara, 21, the current Formula 2 championship leader, on a multi-year deal to replace Esteban Ocon. Ocon is left without an F1 seat for next season, and the 2027 grid gains a rookie, which settles a sizeable piece of the driver market.
What was announced
According to the Associated Press, Haas announced the signing of Câmara on Thursday, October 15. The deal is described only as multi-year; its length and financial terms were not disclosed. Câmara is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu said: "I'm really excited to sign such a young, amazing talent like Rafael Câmara." Câmara said his focus is on preparing in the best possible way for the new challenge. Crash.net reported that he also thanked Gene Haas, Komatsu, the Ferrari academy and his family.
The announcement came ten days before Haas's home race, the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 25.
Who is Câmara?
Crash.net reports that Câmara has taken three feature race wins in F2 this year and leads Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov by seven points, with two rounds left in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The same outlet wrote that his five pole positions are the most by an F2 rookie since Oscar Piastri in 2021. He won the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship and spent one season in F3 before stepping up to F2.
The selection process stands out too. According to Crash.net, Haas chose him after a private test at Portimão in which he was compared with other candidates. Gene Haas said Câmara's test performance impressed the team and that the relationship will grow to a full-time one next season. GPfans named Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa among the candidates he beat.
The AP noted that if the final two F2 rounds, in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, are not held and no replacement is scheduled, Câmara would be crowned champion. Crash.net wrote that those rounds may be affected by the Middle East conflict.
Ocon, Bearman and what remains open
Ocon is 30 and has one win in his F1 career. The AP says he has described himself as a "free agent" and would prefer a reserve role with another team to racing in a different series. His next destination is not known.
Ollie Bearman has not yet been officially confirmed for 2027. Both the AP and Crash.net say he is widely expected to stay for a third full season, citing his stronger results than Ocon this year and the lack of an open Ferrari seat. If so, the pair would be the youngest on the grid by combined age, and Crash.net pointed out that Haas would field an all-Ferrari junior line-up. The same outlet wrote that, on the confirmed line-ups so far, Câmara would be the only F1 rookie of 2027.
The AP added that Audi has confirmed Gabriel Bortoleto for 2027, so next season will be the first since 2016 with more than one Brazilian driver on the grid.