With the 2026 Formula 1 season approaching its conclusion, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has made clear that he wants Oliver Bearman to remain with the team in 2027. The young Briton is expected to agree to a contract extension soon, with only a few details reportedly left to finalise.
Most of the grid for the 2027 season is already settled, with Bearman, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad the only drivers yet to secure confirmed contracts for next year. However, there is little expectation that any of the three will lose their seats.
Bearman’s future appears particularly straightforward, with Haas keen to retain the Ferrari-backed driver following his impressive development during the 2026 campaign.
Komatsu makes Haas’ position on Bearman clear
Speaking around the announcement that Rafael Câmara will join Haas in 2027 to replace Esteban Ocon, Komatsu indicated that continuing with Bearman was the team’s preferred option.
“I can’t go into the contract details, but as far as I’m concerned, I’d naturally like to continue working with him,” the Haas team principal said.
Komatsu believes Bearman has demonstrated the qualities required to become an increasingly important figure within the team, highlighting both his natural ability and the progress he has made.
“He possesses incredible talent and has made tremendous progress. Furthermore, he has shown this year that he is ready to be a team leader,” Komatsu added.
The comments underline Haas’ confidence in the 21-year-old, who has continued to build his reputation as one of Formula 1’s emerging talents.
Retaining Bearman would also provide continuity as Haas prepares for another season of development under the sport’s evolving technical regulations.
Bearman and Câmara could form F1’s youngest pairing
If Haas confirms Bearman alongside Câmara for 2027, the American-owned team will field one of the youngest driver line-ups on the grid.
Both drivers are 21 years old, with their birthdays falling just three days apart. The pairing would represent a significant investment in youth, with Haas looking to build around two drivers whose careers are still in their early stages.
Câmara’s arrival also signals a change in direction following Ocon’s departure, while Bearman’s expected continuation would give the team an established reference point within its developing line-up.
For Haas, the priority will be turning the potential of its young drivers into consistent results. Komatsu’s praise suggests that Bearman is already being viewed as someone capable of taking on greater responsibility.
Ferrari also has a reason to keep Bearman at Haas
A new contract would suit both Haas and Ferrari, which continues to regard Bearman as an important part of its longer-term driver plans.
The Briton remains closely associated with the Scuderia’s development programme, and another season at Haas would allow him to gain further experience before any potential move to Ferrari is considered.
Lewis Hamilton’s longer-term future could eventually become relevant to those plans, although no confirmed timeline has been established for Bearman to join the Italian team.
Ferrari would benefit from seeing its young prospect continue to develop in a full-time race seat rather than being promoted before he is ready. Haas, meanwhile, would retain a driver who has already earned Komatsu’s confidence.
Official announcement expected soon
Komatsu suggested that the remaining work concerns the contractual details rather than any fundamental disagreement over Bearman’s future.
“It is our intention to continue with Ollie, but an official announcement will follow soon,” he said.
While Haas has yet to formally confirm an extension, the team’s public position leaves little doubt about its intentions.
With the 2027 driver market nearing completion, Bearman appears well placed to remain at Haas, where he is expected to continue his development while potentially strengthening his credentials for a future Ferrari opportunity.
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I was surprised that Ollie wasn’t announced simultaneously with Rafa, but this is ultimately only about finalizing things with Ferrari, as Komatsu actually referred to on the same occasion, so staying put for a third season is a mere formality; hence, Komatsu didn’t even try to deny or hide the public obviousness of Ollie’s situation, & if anything, he rather acknowledges that everyone realizes his situation is clear & that nothing is about to change, so he basically confirmed that a formal announcement will happen eventually.
Ferrari doesn’t have space for him & other teams haven’t pursued him yet, so nothing will change for next season, although he’ll become a free agent after next season if/when Ferrari doesn’t give him a drive for 2028, since Lewis will likely continue until at least 2028-end.