Haas has completed a three-day Formula 1 Testing of Previous Cars programme at Portimão, giving Ryo Hirakawa, Leonardo Fornaroli and Ferrari Driver Academy prospect Rafael Câmara time behind the wheel of the VF-25. Running from August 26 to 28, the test formed part of the team’s continuing effort to assess drivers with very different levels of experience while building towards its future.
The Portuguese circuit provided Haas with an opportunity to move beyond simulator evaluation and observe how each driver adapted to a Formula 1 car on track. While Hirakawa brought extensive experience to the programme, Fornaroli and Câmara were able to accumulate valuable F1 mileage at important stages of their respective careers.
Haas uses Portimão TPC test to evaluate three drivers
Ryo Hirakawa was the most experienced member of the three-driver line-up. The 32-year-old Japanese driver, who serves as a Haas reserve, returned to Formula 1 machinery in the VF-25 and gained further running with the car used during the previous season.
Haas also continued its evaluation of Leonardo Fornaroli. The 21-year-old Italian, who won the 2025 FIA Formula 2 championship, had already driven for the American team in a TPC session in June. His latest outing therefore offered another opportunity to build experience and demonstrate his development within the team’s testing programme.
The pathway from junior single-seaters into Formula 1 machinery can be particularly valuable for young drivers, with private testing offering significantly more representative experience than simulator work alone. Ferrari has previously used similar programmes to give members of its academy valuable mileage, including Robert Shwartzman’s Ferrari test at Fiorano.
Ferrari junior Rafael Câmara gains F1 mileage with Haas
Rafael Câmara completed the Portimão line-up. The 21-year-old Brazilian is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and is competing in the 2026 Formula 2 season, where he has established himself as one of the highly rated young drivers of his generation.
His involvement made the Haas test particularly notable from a Ferrari perspective. With his career closely connected to Maranello through the academy, Câmara was able to gain important kilometres in Formula 1 machinery at a significant point in his development.
Haas has previously provided an avenue into Formula 1 for Ferrari-supported drivers. Oliver Bearman’s progression is a recent example, with the British driver combining his Ferrari links with opportunities at Haas before stepping into a full-time F1 role. His journey from junior racing towards the American team highlighted the relationship between Ferrari’s driver development system and Haas opportunities.
Why TPC running matters for Haas and its young drivers
The primary objective of the three days in Portugal was to assess how the drivers adapted to Formula 1 machinery and to gather useful data on their performance. Testing of Previous Cars gives teams an opportunity to evaluate drivers in a genuine F1 environment, providing information that cannot be replicated completely through simulator sessions.
For Fornaroli and Câmara in particular, the Portimão running represented important track time as they continue their development towards the highest levels of single-seater racing. Every test allows a young driver to become more familiar with the performance, procedures and demands associated with a Formula 1 car.
Hirakawa, meanwhile, approached the programme from a different position. As an experienced reserve driver, his running added further familiarity with Haas machinery while giving the team a contrasting reference alongside its two younger prospects.
Across the three days, the VF-25 effectively became a development platform not only for the drivers but also for Haas’ longer-term evaluation process. With Hirakawa, Fornaroli and Câmara representing three different stages of a driver’s career, the Portimão programme allowed the team to examine experience, adaptation and future potential within the same testing environment.
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