EXCLUSIVE: 'We see huge potential' – Komatsu explains Haas' Camara signing and who's likely to partner him

"We see huge potential in Rafa," says Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu when we chat in a central London hotel on the day the American team announced they had signed Ferrari junior and F2 championship leader Rafael Camara for 2027.

"He's somebody with whom we can grow together – so I'm really excited to make sure that we can maximise his potential."

With Ollie Bearman expected to get a third season with Haas, it'll mean Komatsu's Formula 1 squad will take on the 2027 campaign with a pair of 21-year-olds. For context on how young that is, double World Champion and Aston Martin racer Fernando Alonso is older than the two of them combined.

It's a bold move – but it's one that Komatsu feels confident in for several reasons.

Firstly, the Japanese boss is utterly convinced of the Brazilian rookie's speed. He saw it externally through his title-winning F3 campaign last year and during this season when he's built momentum across the year in F2 on his way to taking the championship lead last time out in Baku.

And he's seen from the inside, when he ran Camara in old-spec Haas machinery during a two-day test in Portimao, Portugal, in August. The 21-year-old's performance in what was essentially a shoot-out with fellow young racers Leo Fornaroli – who won F2 last year and is McLaren's reserve – and the American team’s own reserve driver duo of Jack Doohan and Toyota-backed Ryo Hirawaka, was particularly special.

"It was really incredible the feeling he has got to understand the grip level – and adjust to all the conditions," says Komatsu of that test run. "In cool conditions, he set a pretty impressive lap time. Then the conditions got worse so the car becomes more difficult to drive – but he didn't panic at all.

"He just drove to the conditions. Then there was a four-hour gap and the conditions were different again. He started with a pretty good lap time – and then had two more runs. The rate of improvement was just incredible."

Another element that stood out for Komatsu was the way Camara handled himself. "Everyone has got a different way to handle pressure," says Komatsu. "I think his focus was right. He wasn't focused on the result.

"I always say that we need to focus on what's in our control. Rafa did exactly the same. He thought: 'How can I be the best version of myself?' Then he maximised everything. He understood how to put himself in the mindset to get the best out of himself – so the overall package was impressive."

With the data from that test, Komatsu sat down with team owner Gene Haas to discuss driver options for the second seat to replace Esteban Ocon.

"It was close," said Komatsu. "I feel we were in a very lucky position. All the drivers who were in the frame for the assessment got the best out of themselves and their attitude was second to none. All of them were professional in the way they approached it and the way they managed the pressure was impressive."

Komatsu's confidence in having another young driver

Camara emerged as the frontrunner following his approach both on and off the track and – with owner Gene Haas already having been aware of Camara's ability having followed him in F2 this year – they quickly came to an agreement.

It can be considered a little bit of a risk to take on a rookie, especially as it's set to be alongside a driver who only made his full-time debut in 2025, but Haas have proved they are capable of getting the best out of a youngster.

Bearman arrived at Haas off the back of a stunning super sub performance for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia in 2024 and set about rewarding both Ferrari and Haas' respective belief in him with a string of encouraging performances which peaked with a sensational P4 in Mexico. Haas have got the best out of him – and that has continued into this year, with Bearman outperforming one-time race-winning team mate Ocon.

With that in mind, Komatsu had the confidence to bring in another rookie for 2027, especially one who was so highly-rated by Ferrari and so impressive when testing Haas machinery.

"When we first met Ollie, the potential was clear," says Komatsu. "I was convinced that he is an amazing talent and we got to know each other. I was sure we can make success of it, that we can grow together, we can create a good environment for each other, support each other and then grow.

"That's exactly what happened, what's been happening for us for a year and half, at least in the full-time racing season, but even before that, doing FP1s in the year, before six FP1, we've been growing together. We proved we can do it."

What's next?

Camara's immediate focus will be securing the F2 championship, with two rounds to go in Qatar and Abu Dhabi respectively.

But between now and the end of the year, the 21-year-old will begin his integration into the team. Sources say that will involve a run in FP1 this year – most likely at his home event in Brazil – and some mileage in the end-of-season young driver test in Abu Dhabi.

Haas haven't announced the identity of his team mate yet – but Komatsu confirmed that it is his intention to continue with Bearman after his impressive second campaign.

"It's a matter of time, but it's not fully under my control," said Komatsu. "He's such a great guy to work with. His speed is totally clear. If you saw the race in Singapore, the overtakes that he did were amazing. The conviction he has, the accuracy he has – it's just brilliant.

"He is such a pleasure to watch and pleasure to work with and he's got such a positive personality and he motivates the team well.

"In the middle of the season when the car wasn't performing, everybody was struggling. As a driver, you get frustrated. You could be driving better than last year when he did a P4 in Mexico, but your result is P15 so as a driver you are so frustrated.

"But he has awareness and mindset to then change that very, very quickly to say: ‘Okay how can I motivate this thing, how can I pick everyone up?' That shows his amazing character so our objective is to continue with him next year."