Leonardo Fornaroli risks being left without a Formula 1 race seat again in 2027 despite Esteban Ocon’s departure creating one of the few remaining vacancies on next season’s grid. On paper, the Haas opening looks like the opportunity the Italian has been waiting for, but the situation currently appears to be moving in the opposite direction, with Rafael Camara emerging as the leading candidate to replace the Frenchman.
Esteban Ocon announced his separation from Haas after weeks of speculation surrounding his future. He had already described himself as a “free agent” for 2027 in Baku, while team principal Ayao Komatsu had explained that the team had completed its evaluations and would make a decision together with Gene Haas.
The first part of that decision has now been made. Esteban Ocon will leave, Oliver Bearman is expected to remain, and the second Haas seat still has to be allocated.
Leonardo Fornaroli impressed Haas, but Rafael Camara has moved ahead
Leonardo Fornaroli is not simply one of several names loosely linked with Haas. The American team has tested him directly in a previous-generation Formula 1 car, just as it has done with Rafael Camara, Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa.
Fornaroli is understood to have delivered very positive feedback and performances during those tests, while McLaren would also be willing to loan the Italian to another team in order to give him the opportunity to race in Formula 1.
Over recent weeks, however, Rafael Camara is believed to have moved ahead of Fornaroli in Haas’s preferences.
The Brazilian also has an important connection in his favour: he is a Ferrari Driver Academy member, having developed through the same system as Oliver Bearman.
Ferrari relationship could strengthen Rafael Camara’s Haas chances
The relationship between Ferrari and Haas extends well beyond the normal supply of a Formula 1 power unit.
The two organisations have maintained a technical partnership since Haas entered Formula 1 in 2016, with that relationship extended until at least 2028. Haas itself has previously highlighted how important Ferrari has been since the very beginning of the project.
Rafael Camara has already completed tests with both Ferrari and Haas, while there is strong belief in his potential at Maranello.
That does not mean Ferrari can decide who drives the second Haas car. The final choice belongs to the American team. But in a direct contest with Leonardo Fornaroli, Camara comes from a development structure that already has strong links with the team allocating the seat.
Zak Brown had already explained Leonardo Fornaroli’s problem
The situation is particularly striking when Leonardo Fornaroli’s record is taken into account.
The Italian won Formula 3 in 2024 and Formula 2 in 2025, claiming the two championships in consecutive seasons, yet still failed to secure a place on the 2026 Formula 1 grid.
McLaren subsequently added him to its driver programme and currently uses him as a reserve driver as well as for testing and simulator duties.
Only a few days ago, Zak Brown discussed the possibility of Fornaroli moving to Haas during an interview with Sky. The McLaren chief executive left the door completely open, explaining that the decision belonged to the American team and describing Fornaroli as a “wonderful driver”.
Brown also outlined what would happen if no Formula 1 opportunity materialised. Fornaroli would continue working with McLaren as a reserve, taking part in free practice sessions and simulator work unless he was able to find a race seat elsewhere.
The problem is that those alternatives are disappearing quickly.
Very few Formula 1 seats remain open for 2027
Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll’s renewals have also closed the Aston Martin route. Most of the leading teams have already settled their respective driver pairings, leaving Haas and, formally, the two Racing Bulls seats among the main remaining possibilities.
Red Bull, however, has its own junior drivers to accommodate there. Arvid Lindblad is being tipped to remain, Liam Lawson is still regarded as the leading candidate for the other seat, while Nikola Tsolov is also pushing from behind.
For Leonardo Fornaroli, the vacancy created by Esteban Ocon’s departure therefore represented the clearest opportunity to finally become a full-time Formula 1 driver.
Haas has tested him, his performances were appreciated and McLaren would not stand in the way of a loan.
Fornaroli could face another year waiting for Formula 1 chance
Even that may not be enough.
A year ago, Leonardo Fornaroli was left outside Formula 1 despite winning two consecutive junior championships because there was simply no available place on the grid.
This time, a seat really has become available.
But for now, Rafael Camara appears to be ahead of him. And if Haas ultimately chooses the Ferrari junior, the 2027 season risks becoming another year in which Leonardo Fornaroli has to wait for a Formula 1 door to finally open.
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