Haas has not yet decided its driver lineup for the 2027 Formula 1 season. Brazilian Rafael Câmara, Japanese Ryo Hirakawa, and Italian Leonardo Fornaroli are competing for the seat currently held by Esteban Ocon, but Ayao Komatsu, head of the American team, admits that the decision is not close yet.
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“I think it can be said that we are not close enough yet. Because we have not confirmed yet,” Komatsu said before the Italian GP. Despite this, he said that “every day we are getting closer” and that “we have come about two weeks closer” since the last conversation with the press.
The three candidates tested the VF-25, Haas’s 2025 car, between August 26 and 28 at the Portimão Circuit in Portugal. Oliver Bearman also participated to set a benchmark. According to ge.globo, Câmara was the closest to the regular driver’s time.
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Weather conditions hampered part of the program. Komatsu explained that heavy rains compromised one afternoon and the following morning: “[The rain] definitely ruined one afternoon. It rained overnight, so the morning of the second day started with a wet track and a very quick track evolution as well. So it was complicated, to be honest. We had three days, and at least one day — the afternoon of the first day and the morning of the second — was compromised. But, you know, we have to deal with that, right?”
Esteban Ocon’s situation at Haas remains undefined. Câmara continues his activities in Formula 2, where he has two wins and is third in the championship with 145 points. Nikola Tsolov, Red Bull’s prospect, leads with 167.
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