Rafael Câmara has reportedly moved into a commanding position to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for the 2027 Formula 1 season, potentially giving Ferrari another of its young drivers a place on the grid.
GPblog reports that several paddock sources expect the Brazilian to secure the seat alongside Oliver Bearman. The publication has placed the likelihood of the move at 90 per cent, indicating that negotiations are at an advanced stage without suggesting that the agreement has been completed.
Rafael Câmara leads Haas driver search for 2027
Haas considered several options while assessing a possible successor to Esteban Ocon. Leonardo Fornaroli, who is currently linked to McLaren, featured among the candidates, as did Ryo Hirakawa, who is highly regarded by Toyota, the American team’s technical partner.
Jack Doohan was also given an opportunity to demonstrate his potential to Haas. However, the Australian did not emerge as a serious contender for the race seat, leaving Câmara as the preferred candidate at this stage of the process.
The 21-year-old’s connection to the Ferrari Driver Academy adds another important dimension to his candidacy. Should the move be completed, Haas would begin the 2027 campaign with two drivers developed within Ferrari’s junior structure.
Oliver Bearman is expected to remain with the American team for a third consecutive season. Pairing him with Câmara would create one of the youngest and most Ferrari-connected line-ups on the Formula 1 grid.
Ferrari junior’s rapid progress strengthens F1 case
Câmara has built his reputation through a series of impressive performances in the junior categories. He won the Formula 3 championship during his rookie campaign in 2025, combining consistency with exceptional qualifying speed.
The Brazilian recorded five pole positions during that season, setting a category record. He also won the Feature Races in Australia, Bahrain, Barcelona and Hungary on his way to the title.
Promotion to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2026 did not interrupt that momentum. Despite once again entering the championship as a rookie, Câmara immediately established himself as a title contender.
He currently occupies second place in the Formula 2 standings with 170 points, only seven behind championship leader Nikola Tsolov. Two victories during the campaign have further strengthened his claim to a Formula 1 opportunity.
A place at Haas would therefore represent the next stage of Ferrari’s development plan for one of its most highly rated prospects. It would also give Câmara the opportunity to continue his progression alongside Bearman, another driver who advanced through Maranello’s academy system.
Haas could announce Rafael Câmara at Brazilian Grand Prix
Haas has not officially confirmed Câmara as part of its 2027 driver line-up, and the reported agreement has not yet been fully finalised. The timing of any announcement consequently remains uncertain.
One possibility under consideration is an announcement around the Brazilian Grand Prix, which is scheduled for early November on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. Confirming the move at Câmara’s home event would provide a significant setting for the arrival of a Brazilian driver who already enjoys considerable domestic support.
If the negotiations are completed, Câmara would take Esteban Ocon’s place and join Oliver Bearman at Haas in 2027. Such a pairing would give Ferrari two academy-developed talents competing together at the same Formula 1 team, marking another important step in Maranello’s young-driver programme.
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