Why Bearman is yet to be announced as a Haas driver for F1 2027
by Roberto Chinchero · AutosportOliver Bearman's confirmation with Haas for the 2027 Formula 1 season seems like a formality, but an announcement hasn't been forthcoming
With Oliver Bearman firing on all cylinders in his sophomore Formula 1 campaign, it feels odd that Haas has been able to confirm the identity of Esteban Ocon's replacement in the second seat for 2027 before announcing Bearman is staying put for a third year.
There is no real doubt that Bearman will stay where he is, with both parties keen to continue for another season into 2027.
“I think it's very clear. I want to continue with Haas and that's definitely my goal," Bearman said in Mexico on Thursday. "It's not really in my hands. If it was up to me, it would have already been announced a long time ago, but there are a few bigger picture things that we're working on."
Team principal Komatsu added: "I don't like to go into the details of our contract, but Ollie is showing amazing potential. He's contributing a lot to the team's success and we want to grow together. We want to move up the grid as a team.”
And while Komatsu had to dismiss unsubstantiated rumours over Bearman's pay demands, holding up a deal as "absolute nonsense", the real reason behind the delay is not about 2027, but about what happens next.
Autosport understands that should Ferrari be unable to guarantee him a seat in 2028 - after three years of being loaned out to customer team Haas - then Bearman will have the freedom to part ways with Maranello. It is this "bigger picture" that Bearman was referring to in his answer, and a picture that has become increasingly clouded in recent months.
Bearman is still on course to complete the full Ferrari Driver Academy pathway, all the way from F4 to a race seat with the Scuderia - Charles Leclerc being the only driver thus far to have completed the entire trajectory.
But a new road block has emerged in the shape of Lewis Hamilton, who has regained form this year and exercised the contractual option that secured his place at Ferrari for 2027. While Bearman initially looked like a perfect successor to Hamilton, the seven-time world champion's recent comments in the media about his longevity do not portray a man who is walking away from Ferrari and F1 anytime soon. Leclerc, meanwhile, has already agreed a long-term contract extension until at least 2030.
So, if Ferrari isn't able to guarantee Bearman a seat for 2028 and the 21-year-old Briton would be free to explore other options, it makes sense that there is a need right now to clarify certain aspects of his long-term future before formally announcing an extension with Haas.
Komatsu stressed that there is no disagreement regarding the desire to continue the partnership. “I don't think I can go into the details of the what's the hold up, but it's very clear from both parties that they want to continue working together,” he said.
"We work really well together, push each other. He brings a lot to the team and then we are growing together so our intentions from both parties are fully aligned. We're trying to find a solution to work together next year and I'm sure we will”.
The Bearman camp's priority, then, seems to be about ensuring that another year at Haas does not tie him down longer than necessary and potentially limit future opportunities. The paradox is that all parties involved appear to be pursuing compatible objectives. Haas wants to retain Bearman, the driver wants to keep racing, and Ferrari has every interest in protecting a young talent in whom it has invested for years.
What complicates the picture is the impossibility of guaranteeing today what might happen two seasons from now. For Bearman, therefore, the issue is not finding a seat for 2027. The real challenge is ensuring that the seemingly inevitable decision to remain at Haas does not become an obstacle to his prospects for 2028.
That delicate balance is what is currently being worked out behind closed doors. And it is probably the most likely explanation for an announcement that, only a few weeks ago, appeared to be nothing more than a formality.
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- The Autosport.com Team
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