Rafael Câmara continues to gain momentum in the fight for a seat on the Formula 1 grid for 2027. Fred Vasseur revealed that Ferrari has been making broad investments in preparing the Brazilian, who appears among Haas’ candidates for the upcoming season.
Câmara, third in Formula 2 and a member of Ferrari’s Driver Academy since 2022, is contending for a spot alongside Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa. Fornaroli is a McLaren reserve and enjoys strong backing from the Woking squad, while Hirakawa counts on Toyota’s support, Haas’s technical partner.
Questioned during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend about the level of support offered to Câmara, Vasseur stressed that Ferrari’s work goes beyond the financial side. “We are backing Rafael massively. It’s not just financial support. We provided financial backing, but we also invested heavily in training with older cars this year with him,” he told UOL Esporte columnist Julianne Cerasoli.
The Ferrari chief also linked this investment to preparing Câmara for the next steps. “To prepare him in the best possible way for next week’s test and for the next season, Haas, as a partner, will try to find the best way to bring him into F1 next year,” he added.
Ayao Komatsu confirmed that Câmara, Fornaroli and Hirakawa will participate in a Haas test in Portimão, this Wednesday and Thursday. “If we weren’t interested in hiring these drivers, we wouldn’t be doing this test,” the team principal explained.
The three names are considered contenders for the seat currently held by Esteban Ocon, 18th in the standings with three points. Oliver Bearman, Haas’s other regular, appears in 13th, with 18 points.
