Haas has started to shake up the Formula 1 driver market for 2027, putting Esteban Ocon under pressure. The team rented the Portimão circuit to evaluate candidates for the second car, while Oliver Bearman is expected to continue with the team next season.
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The three days of testing that Haas will conduct in Portugal will be part of the Previous Cars Testing program. Leonardo Fornaroli, McLaren reserve, and Rafael Câmara, a driver linked to Ferrari, will have the opportunity to showcase their credentials, while Ryo Hirakawa, Haas reserve supported by Toyota, will also participate.
This move gains importance because Ocon’s future with the team has become the subject of speculation in the paddock. With Bearman likely to stay, the second seat has become the main focus of the battle, and Haas now has the possibility to compare young drivers with different types of backing.
Ferrari has already made clear its intention to help Câmara reach F1. The Italian team’s boss, Fred Vasseur, previously stated: “Haas is our partner, and together, we are trying to find the best way to get him into Formula 1 next year.”
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Vasseur also highlighted that Ferrari’s investment in Câmara goes beyond the financial aspect: “We support Raffa a lot. It’s not just about financial support,” he said, adding that the driver participated in ‘many TPC tests with him this year’ to arrive prepared for the Haas test and the next season.
Fornaroli has McLaren’s backing, while Hirakawa has Toyota’s support, Haas’s technical partner. Jack Doohan is also in the team’s evaluation process, but his opportunity is expected to happen in a separate test in Jerez, expanding the options available for the decision.
With few seats available for 2027, Haas has gained room to analyze different candidates before deciding on its second driver. The test in Portimão is not expected to solely determine the choice but represents a clear sign that the team is already actively working on alternatives for Ocon.
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