Photo via The Race

Why this Ferrari protege is on the brink of F1

Rafael Camara has been confirmed as Haas F1’s newest driver for the 2027 season, marking a significant step for the 21-year-old after a standout 2026 campaign in Formula 2. Camara’s raw speed has been the defining trait of his career, with his qualifying dominance in F2 this year unmatched among rookies—he sits atop the championship’s qualifying averages, securing five poles in just his first season.

His performance has drawn comparisons to Oscar Piastri’s breakout 2021 F2 campaign, as Camara’s ability to push limits in qualifying while maintaining competitive racecraft has set him apart from peers like Alex Dunne, who ranks second in qualifying averages behind him. Before F2, his 2025 Formula 3 title was similarly defined by early-season pole positions, with Camara taking four of the first five feature race poles, underscoring his natural talent for extracting maximum performance from tires and car setups.

Invicta F2 team principal James Robinson has praised Camara’s instinctive feel for racing, calling his speed ‘incredible’ and noting that his potential was evident even before his F3 title. Despite his polished qualifying laps, Camara has acknowledged areas for growth in racecraft, including costly errors in early-season races like Montreal and Monaco, where he spun out under pressure.

His journey to F1 reflects Haas’ strategic investment in emerging talent, following a pattern seen with other junior drivers who have transitioned from lower categories to the pinnacle of motorsport.

Up nextFormula 1· 2h ago

On This Day: Stroll wins final race before becoming a Formula 1 driver | Brief