Bearman still not confirmed for Haas in 2027: Komatsu explains

Bearman has established himself as Haas’s team leader this season, despite having a far more experienced team-mate in Esteban Ocon. Ocon will leave at the end of the season and be replaced by Rafael Camara. The Brazilian is highly likely to become Bearman’s team-mate, but this has not yet been confirmed.

Ayao Komatsu, Haas’s team principal, has told outlets including GPblog that he wants to keep Bearman. "I can’t go into certain contractual details, but for me of course I’d very much like to continue with Ollie," Komatsu says of the Briton, who is on loan from Ferrari. "He's an incredible talent and has showed amazing growth. This year, he has also shown that he is ready to be a team leader."

Komatsu is particularly pleased with Bearman’s development, saying he has become much more than just a promising young driver. The Japanese team principal also praised his performance at the latest Grand Prix. "How he raced in Singapore was also very impressive. It's just a matter of timing and finalising certain details. But yes, it is our intention to continue with Ollie, but then a formal announcement will come in due course."

Jack Doohan joined Haas this season as one of its reserve drivers. The Australian had hoped to take Ocon’s seat for 2027, but that opportunity has passed him by. However, a different role at Haas has not been ruled out.

"With Jack, our door is absolutely open. We’ve been talking with himself and then his manager as well to see if there's something we can do together beyond this year. So that's still an open question," Komatsu says.

The team principal is pleased with Doohan. The Australian showed his speed during a test in Portugal, which served as an audition for a 2027 race seat. Rafael Camara made the strongest impression there. "The good thing about the whole selection process was that all the drivers involved did a very good job."

"I think Rafael Camara, Leonardo Fornaroli and Jack Doohan all got the very best out of themselves. Every time they got in the car, they improved. Honestly, it was a very positive process to be involved in," says Komatsu.