Next stop, Formula 1: Camara reflects on ‘crazy’ Haas call

A childhood dream has come true for Rafael Camara. Following this week's announcement confirming his step up to Formula 1 with Haas in 2027, the 21-year-old Brazilian driver is riding a wave of quiet anticipation as he prepares to join the pinnacle of motorsport.

The 21-year-old Ferrari junior, who also currently leads the FIA F2 Championship, admits the news has yet to fully sink in, but his focus is already on making the transition count.

From his early karting days alongside future F1 competitors to reigning as F3 champion in 2025, Camara has consistently maintained an unyielding, methodical approach.

“It feels good,” he told F1.com’s Lawrence Baretto. “I'm very happy. It's something you've been working your whole life for this moment.

“It's just really crazy to achieve this. I'm just looking forward to start working with the team, to meet everyone in the factory and start as soon as possible.”

An ‘intense’ two-day shootout

Camara entered the season knowing that strong performances could put him in contention for a place on the F1 grid. Rather than get distracted by the prospect, he concentrated on delivering for Invicta Racing in F2.

Even when he fell 47 points behind the championship lead, he refused to panic.

“I was just trying to make sure I did everything I could to make sure I would have no regrets this year,” he said. “So obviously I cannot be happier right now.”

A private Ferrari test at the Hungaroring in May helped prepare him for the next step.

Then came Haas’ two-day shoot-out at Portimao, where team principal Ayao Komatsu assessed four young drivers while considering a replacement for Esteban Ocon. Camara knew the opportunity might not come around again.

“For sure it was an intense two days,” he admitted. “Obviously it was a new track, new team. I went to do the seat fit but obviously I didn't meet everyone, so it was a new environment and for sure it was quite intense.

“You have two days to make sure you are comfortable and you deliver what you need to deliver, and I was just a bit concerned about being a bit tight and not being myself. I just really wanted to make sure I was really enjoying because it was not going to be an opportunity that I would have again.”

Trusting his instincts

Camara settled into the unfamiliar surroundings and impressed Haas with his speed, adaptability and ability to limit mistakes in changing conditions. He saw the test as a chance to put years of single-seater experience into practice.

“I think I have always been able to extract the most of myself,” he says.

“These days were really just trying to apply everything that I learned in the years in my single-seater career. Everything that I knew, it's just about putting it in place and making sure I was doing my job.”

His path has not been without challenges. Joining Ferrari’s junior programme in 2021, he was a “bit scared” at first and worked hard to improve his English and communicate more effectively.

The experience allowed him “to learn a lot” and “to grow up not only as a driver but as a person as well”.

The progress of past Ferrari juniors Charles Leclerc and Ollie Bearman into F1 showed him that the route was possible if he delivered. When Komatsu finally confirmed the Haas seat, Camara turned to the people who had shared the journey with him: his parents.

“I didn't know how to say it to them so I just said quickly – I'll be driving next year,” he says laughing.

“My dad, he was more emotional. When he came to hug me, it was just... you cannot hold [the emotion], it just comes out.”

• Read also: Haas' Komatsu reveals why Camara was obvious choice for 2027

Next year, familiar faces will help make the grid feel less daunting: Camara has known fellow Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto since their karting days, alongside Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad.

For now, the F2 title remains unfinished business. But with his F1 future secured, Camara can approach the final rounds with the prize he has pursued for most of his life no longer hanging in the balance.

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