The F1 rumor mill is heating up, and Esteban Ocon might be the one left without a seat. Ferrari and McLaren are reportedly locked in a fierce battle to get their rising stars onto the grid for 2027—and Haas is the battleground.
According to Brazilian insider Julianne Cerasoli, Haas is holding a secret audition this week at Portimao. The test, happening Wednesday and Thursday, will feature Ferrari Academy driver Rafael Camara, McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli, and Toyota-backed Ryo Hirakawa, with Ollie Bearman running as a benchmark.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed the team is going all-in on Camara. He told UOL, “We are supporting Rafael massively. It’s not just about financial support.
We provided financial backing, but we also invested heavily in training with older cars for him this year.”
McLaren isn’t backing down either. Fornaroli, who won back-to-back F3 and F2 titles in 2024 and 2025, has the full weight of the Woking squad behind him. And with Honda pushing for Hirakawa, the fight for that Haas seat is getting crowded.
But here’s the twist: even if Camara impresses, Haas might still go for a driver who brings more cash. With the team reportedly the least well-funded on the grid, sponsorship dollars could trump raw talent.
So who will win this high-stakes game of musical chairs?
