Why Haas is taking a rookie risk on Camara for 2027

Haas has signed Rafael Camara for a 2027 Formula 1 seat even though the Brazilian has yet to test current F1 machinery at a Grand Prix weekend. Lawrence Barretto’s Formula1.com analysis frames that inexperience as the rookie risk; it sets Camara’s pace in Haas testing against team principal Ayao Komatsu’s confidence from the earlier promotion of Oliver Bearman.

After Haas confirmed following Baku that Esteban Ocon would not get a third season, Komatsu used the team’s Testing of Previous Cars programme to assess his options. The Portimão test included Camara, F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Haas reserve drivers Ryo Hirakawa and Jack Doohan. Barretto writes that Camara was believed to have stood out early, with speed and rapid adaptation to F1 machinery among the qualities that shone through.

The test came as Camara’s junior record was building: at the time of Barretto’s 15 October analysis, he led the F2 championship with two race weekends remaining and was the reigning F3 champion. Barretto also notes that Ferrari rated Camara highly after evaluating him through its junior programme, and points to his commercial appeal.

Bearman gives Haas a recent precedent. In the 15 October report, Barretto noted that the Briton had scored 23 points to Ocon’s seven in 2026 and that his best result was fifth in China. Bearman, also a Ferrari junior, had impressed since joining Haas in 2025; Barretto says Komatsu drew confidence from having taken a chance on him successfully.

Haas did not name Camara’s 2027 team-mate in the announcement. Barretto reported that sources expected Bearman to keep the second seat. In Barretto’s account, Bearman is more than a likely partner: his promotion is the example that gave Komatsu confidence to back another rookie.