Haas have signed Rafael Camara on a multi-year contract to partner Oliver Bearman.
Confirmation of Camara’s graduation from F2 into F1 for the 2027 Formula One season comes just a fortnight after Haas announced that Esteban Ocon would depart at the end of the 2026 campaign.
Camara is currently leading the F2 standings with a seven-point lead over Nikola Tsolov heading into the final two rounds, which currently hang in the balance subject to F1’s trips to Qatar and Abu Dhabi going ahead, otherwise the season is expected to be curtailed with the Brazilian declared champion.
The move also will see Haas field two Ferrari Driver Academy members next season, with Bearman staying at the team for a third season.
Speaking about his move into F1, Camara was grateful for the opportunity as he thanked founder, Gene Haas and Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu for giving him the seat and is now eager begin preparations for next season.
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.”
Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu added: “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.”
Camara began his career in karting in which he claimed three titles in 2021 before he moved into single-seater racing in 2022, across which he achieved nine total wins and top-three championship finishes in F4 UAE, Italian F4 and ADAC F4 in his maiden single-seater year.
2023 and 2024 saw him finish third in Formula Regional Middle East during which he took two wins in the latter year, whilst he achieved two wins in the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) as he finished fifth overall.
Canara eventually achieved his first single-seater title in 2024 when he won FREC with seven wins and pole positions apiece plus five further podium finishes, in a campaign where he finished in the top ten in 18 of the 20 races.
He built on that success in 2025 with a dominant F3 campaign in which he achieved four victories from five pole positions to wrap up the title in Hungary with a round to spare.
This season has seen the Brazilian claim three wins and four further podium finishes en route to the lead of the F2 title race, which he leads from Tsolov, whilst Alex Dunne is only 18 points behind the Brazilian in third position.
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