Here's the thing about raw pace: you simply cannot teach it. That was the stark truth laid out by Haas F1 Team Principal Ayao Komatsu when discussing what his squad required for their next driver, following the news that one-time race winner Esteban Ocon would be departing the US outfit at the end of the season. They needed speed, yes, but they desperately needed a team player. For a small team like Haas, the integration of both drivers and their ability to motivate the entire factory is everything.
Now, the American outfit has found their man. Rafael Camara will step up to Formula 1 next season after winning over the team ahead of multiple other contenders, which included 2025 F2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli—highly rated by McLaren—and Jack Doohan, who already has F1 experience under his belt. The Brazilian has been part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy since 2022, when he was snapped up by the Scuderia much like current Haas driver Oliver Bearman. Camara even took part in a Testing of Previous Cars test for the American outfit and excited the team thoroughly with what he delivered.
It was a really, really excellent strategy from him and his engineer and executed to perfection,
On pure speed alone, the statistics are wild. Camara holds the record for most poles in a single FIA F3 season with five, and sits behind Charles Leclerc alone for most poles in a single F2 season, currently on five versus the Monegasque’s eight. After winning the Formula Regional title in 2024, Camara mirrored compatriot Gabriel Bortoleto’s success by winning the FIA Formula 3 title with TRIDENT, and he currently heads the Formula 2 standings for Invicta with two rounds remaining. He hasn’t finished lower than fifth in any series he’s entered and could become the first driver since Oscar Piastri to win three consecutive junior titles directly preceding F1 promotion.
Yet speed is only half the battle. Earlier this season, while still chasing his first victory in F2, Camara looked set to win around the streets of Monaco before an error whilst leading forced him to wait. One week on in Barcelona, however, he was metronomic in pulling off an overcut strategy that required tyre conservation and consistent speed to leave his rivals well behind. After the race, Camara’s Invicta Team Principal James Robinson paid tribute to the display, calling it perfection as he reflected on a great team effort.
"It was a really, really excellent strategy from him and his engineer and executed to perfection," said Robinson. "I know there were a few comments on social media at the end of last week about the relationship between Rafa and his engineer. But I think that could not be more wrong in terms of the relationship there. Rafa, his engineer and the whole team have an absolutely magnificent relationship."
Beyond the stopwatch, maturity seals the deal. Jerome D’Ambrosio, Deputy Team Principal of Ferrari and the man overseeing the FDA, revealed the extent of the Brazilian’s self-belief, recalling how Camara took the initiative ahead of what turned out to be his most successful season to date during winter discussions. D'Ambrosio noted that Camara has a unique way of knowing what he wants and what he needs to perform, which is a sign of true strength and maturity. Next year, the next Ferrari protege will set about proving that Haas made the absolute right call.
