Komatsu rejects €6m Bearman salary claim

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu rejected claims that Oliver Bearman’s unsigned contract with the team is being delayed by a €6 million salary demand, calling the figure “absolute nonsense.” Komatsu said Haas and Bearman both want to continue together next year, but declined to explain what is holding up an agreement. Komatsu addressed the speculation at a news conference in Mexico on Friday. He said he did not know where the figure came from and that it was “not even close to the truth.” He also said Haas communications chief Stuart Morrison had forwarded him a social-media post mentioning the number. Bearman, who has said he wants to stay with Haas, described the decision as not really being in his hands. Ahead of the Mexico weekend, he said there were matters in the background that the parties were working through. Komatsu confirmed that discussions were continuing, but said he could not go into the details of the delay. The contract remains unsigned. Komatsu said both sides’ intentions were aligned and that they were trying to find a solution to work together next year. He did not identify a timetable for an announcement or specify what remains to be resolved. The...