Rafael Câmara finished the Haas tests in Portimão with an important result in the fight for a spot in Formula 1 in 2027. According to information obtained by ge, the Brazilian was the closest to Oliver Bearman’s reference and was ahead of Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa.
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Haas used the VF-25, last season’s car, in a TPC session with the three candidates. Bearman also went to the track to set a reference time, while Câmara, Fornaroli, and Hirakawa followed similar programs. Since the test was closed, the team did not release official times.
Besides pure performance, the evaluation involved other aspects. According to AutoRacer, Haas took advantage of the activity to compare “three different profiles,” observing consistency, technical feedback, adaptation to the F1 environment, and work with engineers.
Câmara, 21 years old, did his first test with Haas after already having driven Ferrari cars at Hungaroring, Barcelona, and Mugello. The most recent session with the Italian team took place precisely on Wednesday, before the trip to Portugal.
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Fornaroli, current Formula 2 champion and McLaren reserve, and Hirakawa, Haas reserve and driver linked to Toyota, are also in the running. The Italian had already participated in another Haas TPC in Jerez, while the Japanese driver has experience in free practice and endurance races.
At this moment, Câmara and Fornaroli appear as the main names for the spot currently occupied by Esteban Ocon. Jack Doohan is still expected to test the VF-25 in Jerez next week, but the Brazilian left Portimão with a positive reference within the evaluation process.
Câmara is in third position in Formula 2, with 145 points after nine rounds. His next commitment will be in Monza, on September 6.
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