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Haas has concluded its latest previous-car test (TPC), featuring Rio Hirakawa, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Rafael Camara. This comes amidst an intensified focus on the team's driver selection for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
Following the summer break, the 2027 driver market has gained momentum, with Haas being one of the few teams yet to officially announce its lineup for the upcoming season.
While Oliver Bearman appears to be a certainty for a seat in 2027, attention is now turning to Esteban Ocon's position, as Haas has openly stated its intention to evaluate all available options.
The American team recently wrapped up a three-day TPC test at Portimão, where reserve driver Hirakawa drove alongside the 2025 Formula 2 champion and McLaren development driver, Fornaroli, as well as current F2 title contender and Ferrari junior driver, Camara. Each driver piloted the VF-25 – Haas's 2025 car – on the Portuguese circuit between August 26th and 28th.
This follows a similar TPC test Haas conducted last month at Fuji, which provided an opportunity for Toyota-backed drivers Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi.
Although no further details about the Portimão test were disclosed, it was confirmed to be part of Haas's broader strategy to assess all interested drivers before making a final decision on its 2027 lineup.
"I think it's really good that other people are showing interest in us," stated Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu during the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend.
"We're not performing that well at the moment. We can't fight for points, but I think it's good that other people see the potential in us. Within the limitations we're battling, we're trying to improve the team. We take it as a compliment that other drivers are interested in us."
Komatsu emphasized that his immediate focus is on short-term goals to maximize the performance of both the car and the drivers in 2026, indicating that Haas will not rush its decision regarding its future driver pairing.
In its brief Formula 1 history, Haas has often been one of the last teams to announce its drivers for the following season, so such a timeline is not unrealistic, given the relatively stable lineups elsewhere on the 2027 grid.
"We're not in a hurry," Komatsu said at Zandvoort. "We're focused on our two drivers, Oli and Esteban, and trying to get the best out of them. They face a tough challenge, don't they? You know what they're capable of."
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