Haas fast‑tracks Rafael Camara to debut in São Paulo after Hirakawa’s under‑performance
Team principal Guenther Komatsu explains why Haas promoted rookie Rafael Camara for the Brazilian Grand Prix, citing Hirakawa’s recent struggles and the need for fresh data.
Haas Formula 1 announced that 19‑year‑old Brazilian rookie Rafael Camara will make his race debut at the São Paulo Grand Prix, replacing the under‑performing Nikita Hirakawa. In an exclusive interview with Formula1.com, team principal Guenther Komatsu described the decision as “tough” but necessary to extract more performance data before the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Komatsu said the move was prompted by Hirakawa’s recent lap‑time drop and difficulty in bringing the car to its optimal operating window on the high‑downforce, street‑circuit layout of Interlagos. “We have been monitoring his pace over the last three weekends and the trend was not encouraging,” the German‑born principal explained. “The car is still a work in progress, and we need a driver who can give us clear feedback on the set‑up without the pressure of fighting for points.”
Camara, who has been a Haas test and reserve driver since the start of the 2024 season, impressed during Friday’s free‑practice sessions, consistently beating Hirakawa’s sector times by a narrow margin. Komatsu highlighted that the youngster’s familiarity with the Brazilian circuit – having raced in the national karting series and Formula 3 – gave the team confidence that he could extract more from the chassis in a short time.
For Indian fans, the São Paulo race will be broadcast live on FanCode with a start time of 02:00 IST on 22 November. The debut of a new driver adds an extra storyline to a race that already features a tight championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Indian viewers can also follow live timing and team radio on the official F1 app, which offers a dedicated commentary feed for the Asian region.
Komatsu admitted that the decision also serves a longer‑term strategic purpose: “If Camara can prove he can handle the pressure and give us useful data, he could be a contender for a full‑time seat next year. It’s a gamble, but we have to think ahead.” The Haas team will evaluate both drivers’ performances after the weekend and decide on a permanent line‑up for 2025.
Source: Formula1.com