Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has firmly rejected suggestions that his outfit has become a satellite operation of Ferrari, following the confirmation that the team will field two drivers from the Italian manufacturer's academy in 2027.
The Haas announcement on Thursday that 21-year-old Brazilian Rafael Camara will join the squad on a multi-year contract marks the second signing from Ferrari's driver development programme. According to Sky Sports, Camara will partner fellow Ferrari Driver Academy product Oliver Bearman, with the Brit expected to be confirmed for a third season imminently.
The pairing deepens an already substantial partnership between the two teams. Ferrari supplies Haas with power units and other critical components, while both drivers remain on the books of the Scuderia and harbour ambitions of eventually racing for the Italian team.
When asked whether Camara's arrival might reshape how people perceive Haas' independence, Komatsu pushed back firmly against the notion.
No, honestly, our collaboration with Ferrari gives us the access to those Ferrari Academy drivers.
He outlined how the relationship had created opportunities to evaluate both drivers.
So, Ollie Bearman, because of our relationship with Ferrari, we had a chance to test him in Mexico (in 2024). And then because we got this relationship, we had a chance to test Rafa in Portimao.
Komatsu stressed that access to academy talent did not equate to external pressure on driver selection.
But it's the same as when we took Ollie. At no point Ferrari pressurised us, 'oh, Ayao, can you take Ollie because he's an FDA driver, he needs a race seat, or can you take Rafa because he's going to win F2 and he really needs to be in Formula 1?' None of that. We choose drivers by ourselves completely, by myself and (team owner) Mr Gene Haas.
The Haas principal emphasised that while both drivers benefit from Ferrari's backing, they remain Haas employees with no contractual obligations tying the team to the Maranello outfit.
So, yes, they are FDA drivers, their careers have been supported by Ferrari, but they are Haas F1 team drivers and we are under no obligation or pressure to take anyone from Ferrari. So that Ferrari B-team thing is just not even a starter.
Camara's appointment comes after he impressed during testing at Portimão in August. According to Anadolu Agency, Haas evaluated four candidates for the seat—Camara, Leonardo Fornaroli, Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa—before selecting the Brazilian. His performance in testing demonstrated his adaptability and ability to create the conditions needed to perform at a high level.
The 21-year-old currently leads the 2026 Formula 2 championship by seven points over Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, having recorded three Feature Race victories and four additional podium finishes, according to Formula1.com. He will replace Esteban Ocon, who is departing Haas at the end of 2026.
Camara's path to Formula 1 has been marked by consistent progression through Ferrari's academy system. He joined the programme in 2022 and went on to win the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship before claiming the 2025 Formula 3 title. His F3 championship success matched Arvid Lindblad's record for the highest win percentage in the series' history.
A battle for Ferrari's future
Komatsu has dismissed concerns that an intense rivalry between Bearman and Camara to impress Ferrari could destabilise the team. Both drivers remain attached to the Scuderia and will be eyeing a potential path to a Ferrari race seat in the future.
Charles Leclerc has already secured a multi-year contract extension with Ferrari, but uncertainty surrounds the future of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion will turn 42 in January, and his Ferrari contract status beyond the end of 2027 remains unclear.
Should Ferrari need to recruit a new driver, both Bearman and Camara would be natural candidates, making their performances at Haas potentially crucial to their long-term F1 careers.
Komatsu acknowledged the competitive nature of Formula 1 as a whole.
Formula 1, as a whole, is a huge competition. So, a team-mate is the first person you need to beat.
However, he expressed confidence that both drivers would focus on extracting maximum performance from themselves rather than becoming consumed by internal rivalry.
But both of them, I think they will be really focused on how to get the best out of themselves. Because, again, sporting results, beating somebody else, it's not totally under your control. You could be having your best drive, but somebody else can out-drive you, and in the circumstances, you might get beaten. But that's not something you can control. What you can control is to get the best out of yourself, absolutely everything, from your team, from yourself. And I believe that's what both of those guys are going to be focused on.
Komatsu concluded by praising the calibre of both drivers.
And both of those guys, both Rafa and Ollie, they are incredibly quick.
What happens next
Camara still has the opportunity to secure the 2026 Formula 2 championship before his transition to Formula 1, with two race weekends remaining in the season. Formula 1 returns to action with the United States Grand Prix at Austin, scheduled for October 23–25, 2026, live on Sky Sports F1.
