Haas F1 Reportedly Narrows 2027 Driver Shortlist to Two Names
· Yahoo Sports
The Formula 1 driver market for the 2027 season is already shifting into high gear, and all eyes are currently locked on the American-owned Haas F1 team. While rookie sensation Oliver Bearman appears firmly entrenched on one side of the garage, the future of his veteran teammate, Esteban Ocon, is looking increasingly precarious.
Now, new reports on Ferrari junior driver Rafael Camara clarify exactly who might be in line to take over Ocon’s race seat if Haas decides to make a change.
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According to the Brazilian outlet UOL, Camara is expected to sign on as Haas’s official F1 reserve driver for the 2027 campaign. While the Brazilian talent has impressed by winning the Formula 3 championship in 2024, placing him in a reserve capacity suggests the team believes he needs a bit more time to hone his craft before jumping into a full-time F1 race seat.
This development effectively leaves two major contenders in a shootout to potentially replace Ocon: Yuki Tsunoda and Leonardo Fornaroli.
The Struggles of Esteban Ocon
To understand why the Haas seat is up for grabs, it is essential to look at Ocon’s trajectory since joining the squad in 2025.
After an unceremonious exit from Alpine, the Frenchman was expected to bring veteran stability to Haas. However, he has consistently struggled to match the pace of his younger teammate. Ocon finished behind Bearman in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, a trend that has frustratingly continued throughout the 2026 season.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 03: Esteban Ocon of France and Haas F1 arrives in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 03, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has previously admitted that the team was not satisfied with Ocon’s performance in 2025. While Ocon has cited issues with car consistency and rear downforce—even noting differences in floor specifications compared to Bearman’s car—he is out of contract at the end of the year and needs a dramatic turnaround to secure an extension. As the recent reports note, Haas is still actively deciding whether to retain him.
The Frontrunners: Fornaroli and Tsunoda
With Camara seemingly destined for the reserve role, the shortlist to partner Bearman is heavily focused on two very different profiles.
- Leonardo Fornaroli: The 21-year-old Italian is currently riding a massive wave of momentum. After winning the F3 title in 2024, he secured the F2 championship in 2025. Although he is currently a reserve driver for McLaren, Haas recently allowed Fornaroli to test a two-year-old F1 car in Jerez. Komatsu openly praised the Italian’s feedback and speed during the test, noting that McLaren has him on a very good development program.
- Yuki Tsunoda: The Japanese driver represents a completely different strategic angle. Tsunoda has been heavily linked to Haas ever since Toyota Gazoo Racing expanded its partnership with the American squad. Bringing in a proven, aggressive F1 veteran who perfectly aligns with the team’s Japanese corporate backing would be a massive commercial and competitive coup for Haas.
Whether Haas opts for the reigning Formula 2 champion or a seasoned F1 veteran with manufacturer ties, the pressure is squarely on Ocon to prove he still belongs on the 2027 grid.