Ferrari Driver Academy graduate Rafael Câmara has revealed how Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable progress in Formula 1 is motivating him ahead of his own debut with Haas in 2027. The Brazilian driver, who previously raced alongside the Mercedes championship contender in the junior categories, hopes their careers will eventually bring them together again as rivals at the highest level of motorsport.
Rafael Câmara and Kimi Antonelli were teammates in the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship, but their paths towards Formula 1 developed at different speeds. While the Italian secured the championship and immediately progressed to Formula 2, the Brazilian finished fifth and remained in the category for another season, returning to claim the title in 2024.
Since then, Rafael Câmara has continued his progression through the junior categories, winning the Formula 3 championship before moving into Formula 2, where he currently leads the standings. Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, is already competing in his second Formula 1 season with Mercedes and is closing in on the World Championship title.
Now, with Rafael Câmara confirmed as a Haas Formula 1 driver for 2027, the two former teammates are moving towards another opportunity to compete against one another.
Rafael Câmara praises Kimi Antonelli’s impressive Formula 1 progress
Rafael Câmara has made no secret of his admiration for what Kimi Antonelli has achieved since reaching Formula 1. Rather than feeling discouraged by the Italian’s rapid progression, the Brazilian sees his former teammate’s success as an additional reason to continue working hard and improving.
“It’s really nice to see Kimi Antonelli and what he’s doing in F1. This year has been really extraordinary,” Rafael Câmara explained.
“And I think, from my side, it definitely gives me some motivation to keep working hard and improving myself. But I’ll just try to make the most of next year and learn as much as possible to make sure it’s a good year.”
His comments reflect the different stages of their careers. Kimi Antonelli has already established himself as a Formula 1 frontrunner with Mercedes, while Rafael Câmara is preparing for his first season in the championship after following a longer development path through the junior categories.
Despite that difference, the Brazilian does not appear concerned about the speed of his former teammate’s rise. Instead, he remains focused on making the most of the opportunity Haas has offered him.
Rafael Câmara hopes to fight Kimi Antonelli again in Formula 1
Rafael Câmara also dismissed the suggestion that seeing Kimi Antonelli win races and approach the World Championship in only his second Formula 1 season could cause frustration, particularly given the additional time the Brazilian has spent working his way through the junior categories.
“No, I think everyone has their own timing, and I’m just very happy with what he’s done,” Rafael Câmara explained.
“I think he really deserves what’s happening to him. He’s someone who works hard and is also a really nice guy. So no, I don’t see any negatives, only positives, and I hope that one day we can fight together.”
The comments highlight the mutual respect between two drivers whose careers were closely connected during their time in Formula Regional. Although Kimi Antonelli progressed more quickly, Rafael Câmara has subsequently established his own credentials through championship success in the categories below Formula 1.
The prospect of competing against his former teammate also gives the Brazilian another long-term objective as he prepares for the challenges of his rookie season.
Ferrari Driver Academy helped Rafael Câmara reach Haas for 2027
The two drivers have benefited from different development programmes on their respective journeys towards Formula 1.
Kimi Antonelli received support from Mercedes, allowing the Italian to progress rapidly through the junior categories and reach Formula 1 at an early stage of his career. Rafael Câmara, meanwhile, developed under the guidance of the Ferrari Driver Academy, which helped him build the experience necessary to secure his opportunity with Haas.
The Brazilian’s move represents another significant step for Ferrari’s young-driver programme. As explored in our coverage of Ferrari’s 2027 Driver Academy changes, Rafael Câmara’s graduation to Formula 1 comes as Maranello reshapes its junior development structure for the next generation of drivers.
A decisive moment in Rafael Câmara’s path towards Formula 1 came during an evaluation test at Portimão in August. His impressive performance helped convince Haas to offer him a race seat, despite other drivers also receiving opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
Rafael Câmara recognises the significance of securing the position, particularly given the competition for the available opportunity. His progression through Formula Regional, Formula 3 and Formula 2 has now been rewarded with a place on the Formula 1 grid.
Rafael Câmara joins Oliver Bearman in Haas’s 2027 F1 line-up
Rafael Câmara has signed a multi-year agreement with Haas beginning in 2027 and will race alongside Oliver Bearman, another driver who progressed through Ferrari’s junior development programme.
The pairing strengthens the connection between Haas and Ferrari, with the American team providing Formula 1 opportunities to two drivers who developed their careers with support from Maranello.
The significance of their partnership has already attracted attention, particularly because Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has discussed the qualities of Rafael Câmara and Oliver Bearman as the team prepares for its future with two Ferrari-developed talents.
For Rafael Câmara, however, the immediate objective is not to establish comparisons with his new teammate or with Kimi Antonelli. His priority is to learn as much as possible during his first Formula 1 season and gradually build the experience needed to compete successfully at the highest level.
The Brazilian understands that his former Formula Regional teammate’s rapid rise has followed a different trajectory. Nevertheless, Kimi Antonelli’s success provides encouragement that drivers who previously competed together in the junior categories can eventually establish themselves in Formula 1.
With a multi-year Haas contract secured, Rafael Câmara now has the opportunity to turn that motivation into progress on the Formula 1 grid. His ambition is to make the most of his debut season and, eventually, find himself fighting against Kimi Antonelli once again, this time at the pinnacle of motorsport.
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