Haas Confident in Retaining Bearman Despite Ferrari Ties

Haas Formula 1 team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed confidence in retaining young driver Oliver Bearman long-term while acknowledging the possibility of the 20-year-old Briton moving to Ferrari, following Bearman's strong start to the 2026 season that has propelled the American outfit to fourth in the constructors' standings after three races.

Bearman, a member of Ferrari's driver academy since 2022, made his F1 debut in 2024, finishing seventh at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as a replacement for Carlos Sainz and later scoring points with a 10th-place result in Azerbaijan for Haas. In his full rookie season with the team in 2025, the former Formula 2 standout outscored veteran teammate Esteban Ocon and achieved a career-best fourth place at the Mexico Grand Prix. This year, Bearman has continued his upward trajectory, securing seventh in Australia and fifth in China to claim 17 of Haas's 18 points so far. He has also outqualified Ocon in all three grands prix, including the sprint session in China.

Speaking ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Komatsu praised Bearman's rapid development and consistency. "Extremely impressive," Komatsu said. "We set a very high bar for Ollie...