Komatsu: Haas chose Camara for pace, not Ferrari ties

Haas chose Rafael Camara for its 2027 Formula 1 seat on performance, not because of his Ferrari ties, team principal Ayao Komatsu says. Haas’s relationship with Ferrari gave the team access to Ferrari Driver Academy drivers, Komatsu said, but Camara’s speed and feel were the decisive factors.

Haas used its 2025 car for a series of Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) runs as it assessed drivers for 2027. Camara, then the Formula 2 championship leader, was among those invited, alongside reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and reserves Ryo Hirakawa and Jack Doohan. Komatsu said Camara was the quickest in the running.

Komatsu singled out Camara’s first test at Portimão. Track conditions, temperature and wind changed, and the team also had an issue with tyre vibration. Camara judged those difficulties well and stayed calm and professional, Komatsu said.

Komatsu also identified areas to develop. Camara managed tyres well in some F2 races but not others, he said, and his race craft could improve. Komatsu believes Haas can work with him on those points; natural speed and feel, he said, cannot be taught.