Ferrari Academy driver Rafael Camara has completed a TPC test for Haas at Portimao amid rumours of a potential 2027 Formula 1 race seat.
With the F1 silly season shaping up, Haas has conducted a pretty significant Testing of Previous Cars (‘TPC’) test at Portimao.
Ferrari junior driver Camara, who currently trails Nikola Tsolov in the F2 championship, drove the VF-25 alongside Ryo Hirakawa and McLaren junior Leonardo Fornaroli.
This session, at the Algarve International Circuit, comes amid rumours of a potential race seat opening at the Banbury-based team for next season.
Haas’ 2026 driver line-up of Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon has endured a tricky start to F1’s latest era.
Despite a strong opening phase of the season, the VF-26’s competitiveness has petered out as its rivals have comprehensively outdeveloped it.
While Bearman seems to be holding onto his race seat, the same cannot be said of Ocon, who is reportedly fallen out of favour with the team.
Naturally, Camara’s test could prove to be a handy audition for a full-time F1 race seat in 2027.
Ferrari details expansive plans for Rafael Camara in F1
Ferrari has a strong relationship with Haas in the sport.
Being the team’s power unit supplier, the Maranello-based squad has often leased its junior drivers to the team for further development and maybe a proper race seat.
Bearman himself has climbed to the pinnacle of motorsport through this relationship.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur recently discussed similar support that Camara has and will continue to receive.
“We are supporting Rafa massively,” he said.
“It’s not just about financial support. We did the financial support, but we did a lot of TPC this year with him.
“The cost of this is much, much, much, much higher than the support, and in order to prepare him in the best position for the test [with Haas] and for the next season.”
The 2025 F3 champion has a 22-point advantage to breach against Tsolov to claim the 2026 F2 title, starting with Monza next weekend.
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