Friday in Formula 1 featured the 2027 driver market among the main topics, especially with Rafael Câmara again linked to Haas. Ayao Komatsu stated that performance will be the main criterion in choosing the duo for the next season, amid rumors placing the Brazilian as a possible replacement for Esteban Ocon.
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Komatsu emphasized that ties with manufacturers or financial issues only come into play if two drivers show similar performance. The Haas boss stated that the team would not choose someone three tenths slower just because of a connection with Toyota or Ferrari, or for offering more resources, and indicated that a 2027 grid decision will not happen immediately.
Gabriel Bortoleto also appeared in the news. Audi now has Freddie Slater eligible to act as reserve for the main drivers Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The 18-year-old Brit, Formula 3 runner-up, has reached the required points to obtain the Super License, although he has not yet participated in tests with previous cars nor in an F1 weekend.
At Williams, James Vowles admitted that the big upgrade package planned for the Azerbaijan GP will not be enough to change the team’s scenario in 2026. The executive acknowledged that mistakes made in the initial development will continue to weigh until the end of the year and stated that the remaining advances will be only small steps before a bigger effort for 2027.
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Lando Norris, in turn, raised concerns about the debut of the Sprint format in Monaco next year. With only FP1 before the Sprint qualifying, the McLaren driver believes competitors will have to take risks earlier on a track where the margin for error is minimal, although he recognizes that the format can make the event more interesting for the audience.
The calendar also remained on the agenda. Assen is not in FOM’s plans as an alternative to host a round in 2027, while the organizers of the Australian GP ruled out bringing Melbourne forward to replace a possible absence of Bahrain at the season opener. The uncertainties remain linked to the situation in the Middle East.
Before any discussion about 2027, however, the current season returns to the track next week. The Azerbaijan GP will be held between September 24 and 26, with a particularity: the race will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m. Brasília time, while the sessions start already on Thursday in Baku.
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