Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has dismissed the suggestion that his squad have become a "Ferrari B-team" after they confirmed the signing of a second driver from the Italian outfit's academy.
Haas announced on Thursday that 21-year-old Brazilian Rafael Camara will drive for them in 2027 after signing a multi-year contract.
Camara is set to drive alongside fellow Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) product Oliver Bearman, with confirmation that the Brit will remain with Haas for a third season expected soon.
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Haas' pairing of the two drivers, who both remain attached to Ferrari and retain ambitions of driving for the Italian team in future, furthers a strong working relationship between the two squads that also sees Ferrari supply Haas with power units and other significant parts.
Asked whether the signing of Camara could alter perceptions of Haas' identity, Komatsu said: "No, honestly, our collaboration with Ferrari gives us the access to those Ferrari Academy drivers.
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"So, Ollie Bearman, because of our relationship with Ferrari, we had a chance to test him in Mexico (in 2024).
"And then because we got this relationship, we had a chance to test Rafa in Portimao.
"But it's the same as when we took Ollie. At no point Ferrari pressurised us, 'oh, Ayao, can you take Ollie because he's an FDA driver, he needs a race seat, or can you take Rafa because he's going to win F2 and he really needs to be in Formula 1?'
"None of that. We choose drivers by ourselves completely, by myself and (team owner) Mr Gene Haas.
"So, yes, they are FDA drivers, their careers have been supported by Ferrari, but they are Haas F1 team drivers and we are under no obligation or pressure to take anyone from Ferrari.
"So that Ferrari B-team thing is just not even a starter."
A battle for a future Ferrari seat?
Komatsu also insists he has no concerns that a potentially intense contest between Bearman and Camara to impress Ferrari could become a problem for Haas.
While Charles Leclerc signed a multi-year contract extension with Ferrari earlier this year, it remains to be seen how many more years his team-mate Lewis Hamilton will continue in F1.
The seven-time world champion will turn 42 in January, while it's unclear whether his Ferrari contract stretches beyond the end of the 2027 season.
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Whenever Ferrari do require a new driver, Bearman and Camara would be obvious contenders, which means the way things play out for them at Haas could be a decisive factor in their F1 futures.
"Formula 1, as a whole, is a huge competition," Komatsu said. "So, a team-mate is the first person you need to beat.
"But both of them, I think they will be really focused on how to get the best out of themselves.
"Because, again, sporting results, beating somebody else, it's not totally under your control. You could be having your best drive, but somebody else can out-drive you, and in the circumstances, you might get beaten.
"But that's not something you can control. What you can control is to get the best out of yourself, absolutely everything, from your team, from yourself. And I believe that's what both of those guys are going to be focused on.
"And both of those guys, both Rafa and Ollie, they are incredibly quick."
Formula 1 next heads to The Americas for another triple header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime