Esteban Ocon announced in the final week of September that he’ll be parting ways with the Haas F1 team after the 2026 season. The American team has now announced Rafael Camara as Ocon’s replacement for the 2027 season.
Ferrari driver academy’s Rafael Camara will partner Oliver Bearman to form Haas’ 2027 driver lineup. Camara is a 21-year-old Brazilian who’s currently racing in the FIA Formula 2 championship.
The Brazilian made his single-seater debut in 2022, racing in various Formula 4 championships. He raced in FRECA for the next couple of years and won the championship in 2024. Camara was signed by Trident in F3 for the 2025 season, where he won the championship in his rookie season.
The youngster joined Invicta Racing to race in F2 for the 2026 season, and is currently leading the championship by seven points. Rafael Camara became the latest driver from the Ferrari driver academy to join Haas. Ollie Bearman and Mick Schumacher were also part of the Ferrari academy.
As Haas announced Camara as Esteban Ocon’s replacement, the Brazilian said,
“I’m very happy to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team as a Formula 1 driver. It’s an important step in my career, and I want to thank Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for the trust they have placed in me. I’m also very grateful to the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy for their support and for everything they have contributed to my development over the years, as well as to my family for always being there throughout this journey.”
“Now my focus is on preparing myself in the best possible way for this new challenge. There will be a lot to learn, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the team, understanding the car and continuing to develop as a driver,” he added
Esteban Ocon joined Haas ahead of the 2025 season after parting ways with Alpine. However, just after a couple of seasons, the Frenchman finds himself without a drive for the upcoming season.
Esteban Ocon defiant about his F1 future amid Haas exit
Ahead of the 2026 Singapore GP, Esteban Ocon was questioned about his racing plans for the 2027 season. The Frenchman was asked whether he will be racing in any other series other than F1.
“F1. That’s where I deserve to be, if I look at the results and what I’ve shown in F1. I deserve to be in F1. Of course, there are other categories which are fantastic as well. But I want to be racing in F1 for the next five to seven years. That’s where I want to be, so I will keep pushing to be in that position. In the near future, that’s the only thing I’m looking at so far,” said Ocon.
With only the Racing Bulls seats left to be confirmed for the 2027 season, it’s difficult for Esteban Ocon to get a full-time drive. However, the French driver is open to continuing in F1 in the third driver role.
“If there are no possibilities to race next year, that’s what I will do. I’m still working on it, still discussing. When I have more news, I will announce something definitely, but at the moment, full focus is on this weekend,” said Ocon
Esteban Ocon was Mercedes’ third driver for the 2019 season as Lance Stroll replaced him at Force India(Racing Point).
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