Lights, Camara, action: How Haas picked F1's latest rookie for 2027
Autosport • • sports
Key Points:
- Rafael Camara secured a Formula 1 contract with Haas for the 2027 season after being the fastest driver in a competitive shoot-out involving multiple prospects, as confirmed by Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu.
- Haas conducted a rigorous evaluation through its Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program, testing four drivers over three sessions with a 2025 Haas chassis to determine the best candidate for Esteban Ocon's seat.
- Komatsu emphasized that driver selection was based purely on performance, dismissing commercial or national considerations, and praised Camara's adaptability and speed under changing track conditions during testing.
- While Camara's raw pace and car feel are exceptional, Komatsu noted areas for improvement in racecraft, particularly avoiding early-race incidents, but expressed confidence in developing these skills within the team.
- The TPC program, enabled by Haas' partnership with Toyota, proved crucial in allowing the team to independently assess talent, marking a strategic success for Haas in identifying and securing promising drivers like Camara.
