Haas boss hits back at Bearman contract rumors: 'Absolute nonsense'
Photo: Race Pictures
Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu dismissed rumors about Oliver Bearman's team's financial demands as "absolute nonsense" in Mexico.
Bearman is expected to remain with Haas, but details of his contract still need to be finalized. On Thursday, the Briton also declared that he wishes to continue with the American outfit.
The driver said ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix: "It’s very clear I want to continue with Haas and that’s definitely my goal. There’s a few things in the background that we’re working on, but it’s been very clear that continuing with Haas will be my target and we’re just finalizing a few things on that front."
On Friday, Komatsu once again declared that he also wants to continue working together with Bearman. " I'm sorry, I can't answer that question. But, you know, look, it's very, very clear from both parties, from our side, that we want to continue working together. We work really well together, push each other, we really enjoy working together. And he brings a lot to the team. And then we are growing together. So our intention from both parties are fully aligned. We're trying to find a solution to work together for next year, and I'm sure we will."
Photo: Race Pictures
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Komatsu shares clear verdict on contract rumors
The Japanese team boss was then asked about a rumor Bearman's excessive wage demands. A €6,000,000 sum was mentioned.
"Do you understand where that comes from?" Komatsu replied.
"I have no idea where that came from. You know, honestly, like, I've experienced this sometimes this season as well. People say there's no smoke without fire, but there are really some people who really invent stories.
"You know what happened in Miami. Apparently, I had an argument with Esteban Ocon, but there was just absolutely zero truth to it."
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He continued: "Even those people claiming that they had some insider information or etc., it's total nonsense. And this one, again, I don't know who came up with this €6,000,000 number. That's the first time I saw it on Instagram or something. It was forwarded to me.
"I was like, 'Oh, another one, great, somebody came up with it to stir things up.' I have no comments to make because it's just not even close to the truth. You know, why do we engage with such absolute nonsense? What's the point of it?
"Those people clearly not trying to help anything, right? And then it's amazing these days that people don't check the source. They think, 'I want to get some more clicks, I want to get some more likes.' So they copy and paste those stories and keep running with it. And then before you know it, there are plenty people running the stories that they think it's the truth. It's absolute nonsense," he concluded.
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