Câmara had originally been due to make his Formula 1 debut in 2027. In mid-October, Haas confirmed the young Brazilian as a full-time driver for next season. Now his promotion has been brought forward: he will line up alongside Oliver Bearman at his home Grand Prix at Interlagos from November 6 to 8.
From karting to Formula 1 via Ferrari
Câmara was born on May 5, 2005, in Recife, northeastern Brazil. He began karting at the age of six after his older brother gave up the sport, opening the door for Rafael to take his first laps behind the wheel. Success in national and international karting championships soon attracted Ferrari’s attention.
He has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021. The following year, he made the step into single-seater racing, competing in several Formula 4 championships. He finished runner-up in the UAE Formula 4 Championship and took third place in both the Italian and German series.
In 2023, Câmara moved into Formula Regional. After finishing fifth in the European championship, he made his breakthrough the following year, winning the 2024 title with Prema Racing and earning promotion to FIA Formula 3.
Racing for Trident in 2025, Câmara was particularly impressive in qualifying. His five pole positions established a record for the championship in its current format, introduced in 2019. He also won four feature races, including the opening two rounds in Melbourne and Bahrain. Câmara secured the championship at the Hungaroring with one race weekend still remaining.
Straight into the Formula 2 title fight
Câmara joined Invicta Racing for the 2026 Formula 2 season and immediately established himself among the championship contenders. After twelve race weekends, he leads the standings with 207 points, seven ahead of Bulgaria’s Nikola Tsolov. Alexander Dunne sits third on 189 points.
Three feature-race victories in Barcelona, Spa-Francorchamps and Baku, together with five pole positions, underline his consistency. His outright pace over a single lap is regarded as one of his greatest strengths. Fighting for the Formula 2 title immediately after winning the Formula 3 championship has made him one of the most sought-after prospects in junior motorsport.
Haas’s decision to secure his services for 2027 therefore came as little surprise. Câmara had already impressed team principal Ayao Komatsu during a test at Portimão in August, driving the team’s 2025 Formula 1 car, the VF-25.
Ocon’s departure opens the door to an early debut
Câmara’s unexpected promotion follows Haas’s decision to part ways with Esteban Ocon ahead of schedule. The Frenchman was originally set to leave at the end of the season but was replaced by test driver Ryō Hirakawa during the recent Mexican Grand Prix weekend.
Internal disagreements were behind the breakdown in relations. Ocon explicitly denied media reports suggesting a possible physical altercation. Haas subsequently confirmed that the Frenchman would not race for the team again this season, while declining to comment further on the discussions that took place behind closed doors.
Hirakawa finished tenth in Mexico to score a World Championship point, but his commitments in the World Endurance Championship prevent him from racing in Brazil this weekend. That has created an immediate opportunity for Câmara.
The Brazilian will also share the grid at Interlagos with compatriot Gabriel Bortoleto, who has been racing in Formula 1 since 2025. The home Grand Prix will give Câmara his first chance to measure himself against future teammate Bearman in competitive conditions. Haas has yet to confirm whether he will contest any further Grands Prix after São Paulo.
