Haas Explains Decision to Choose Rafael Camara Over Ryo Hirakawa for Brazilian GP

A Decision Grounded in Team Performance

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has detailed the rationale behind granting Rafael Camara his Formula 1 debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix, bypassing reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa. Following a tumultuous weekend at the Mexican Grand Prix—where Esteban Ocon was axed after a Friday practice fallout—Hirakawa took over the car from Free Practice 3 onward. Despite being roughly seven tenths slower than team-mate Oliver Bearman on average, the Japanese driver scored a point courtesy of three post-race time penalties handed to competitors, earning praise from Komatsu for his steady improvement.

Hirakawa remained an available option for Haas at Interlagos, despite being scheduled to contest the World Endurance Championship season finale in Monza as part of the championship-leading #8 Toyota crew. However, Komatsu elected to run Camara, Haas’ 2027 recruit. Addressing the choice, Komatsu insisted the move was purely based on professionalism and designed around the best interest of the squad rather than any perceived shortcomings on Hirakawa’s part.

How the Portimao Shootout Swung the Verdict

The decisive factor in Komatsu’s evaluation was a private Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) event held at Portimao, where Camara went head-to-head against Hirakawa for the future seat and decisively outpaced him. Beyond single-lap pace, Camara’s mental resilience under fluctuating track conditions convinced the Haas leadership that he was ready for an immediate F1 trial.

There’s always pros and cons, Komatsu said. It’s not foregone, saying ‘We signed him next year, let’s put him as early as possible’. There’s always a risk.

Of course I don’t know Rafa for many years, but what I saw in Portimao when we did the shootout, how he handled himself, how he contained all the pressure, how he created the environment that let him focus and perform, just everything around it, other than the pure lap time he did – which was impressive – everything around it, for me, was very impressive and such a mature approach.

So that gave me obviously more confidence that, right, if we go in together, [the] message is clear, our objective is clear, we can manage. If he was somebody [that] doesn’t understand what the professional performing environment should be, if he was somebody that gets really overwhelmed by certain things or excited by certain things, I would maybe not have taken this decision.

Mental Composure Sealed the Interlagos Seat

Subsequent discussions in the days following the Mexican Grand Prix solidified the management’s decision to put the Brazilian driver in the car on home soil. Komatsu emphasized that Camara displayed rare composure while an F1 opportunity hung in the balance.

And then I spoke with Rafa on Sunday night, Monday, Tuesday, all the conversations just reinforced my belief [in] how Rafa can behave, deal with everything, and then shut the noise out, focus, simplify, and also not overcomplicate it. What I saw in Portimao, [track] condition was changing all the time, so it was very, very difficult.

And then of course, it was huge pressure for him, right? That was an F1 drive hanging there. But he didn’t focus on that result, he didn’t focus that ‘I need to produce something to get [the] F1 drive’. He really focused on what he’s good at, which is the natural, amazing feel he’s got – listen to his feel, drive to the [track] condition. And the condition, honestly, lap by lap it was changing.

But literally, he calmly – from outside – did that to manage that mental side, manage that pressure side, not to chase something that is out of your control. Just focus on what you can deliver. That was impressive. And if we can take the same mindset here, I believe we can. That’s why I chose that, I made that decision in the end.

Why This Matters

Komatsu’s handling of the Haas driver roster signals an unapologetically pragmatic leadership approach. By personally informing Hirakawa over the phone and standing firm on performance metrics, the team principal highlighted the clarity required in modern F1 team operations.

At the end of the day, honestly, I’m the team principal of this team, and then every single decision I make is purely, ‘OK, what do I need to do for the best interest of this team, as a team principal of this team?’ Not even [as] Ayao Komatsu, it doesn’t matter, Komatsu explained.

So, in that sense, it gives me clarity. I had clarity what I needed to do every single step. Even this decision for who to put in the car in Brazil, OK, emotionally I have more things, if you like, but I have to make a decision purely based on professionalism, right? Every time I go back to that when I have a difficult decision to make, so then I have clarity. Of course it’s not easy, but at least I’m comfortable within myself that every single decision – including this one, who to put in the car here, I explained it to Ryo on the phone by myself, of course – is a totally professional decision.

The situation regarding the final three rounds of the campaign remains unresolved. Formula 1 continues to pursue holding events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi despite regional instability caused by the Iran war. As the current Formula 2 championship leader, Camara is scheduled to contest his primary junior series duties at those Middle Eastern rounds, leaving Haas to evaluate its driver lineup for the remainder of the calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Ryo Hirakawa bypassed for the Brazilian Grand Prix?

Although Hirakawa secured a point in Mexico after subbing in for the dropped Esteban Ocon, Haas selected Rafael Camara based on data from a head-to-head Portimao test where Camara proved faster and demonstrated superior mental composure under pressure.

Is Rafael Camara confirmed for the rest of the Formula 1 season?

No. Team principal Ayao Komatsu stated that no decisions have been finalized for the final three rounds of the year. Furthermore, Camara is leading the Formula 2 championship and is slated to contest his F2 campaign during the upcoming Middle Eastern events.

Why did Esteban Ocon lose his Haas seat?

Ocon was axed by Haas following an internal falling-out that occurred during Friday practice at the Mexican Grand Prix, opening the door for reserve and junior drivers to step into the race cockpit.