Komatsu Calls Oliver Bearman Contract Rumors ‘Absolute Nonsense’ After Claims of $6.72 Million Demand

Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu has strongly denied rumors that Oliver Bearman’s 2027 contract delay is due to a €6 million salary demand, calling the claims “absolute nonsense”. The delay in the contract has fueled speculation about Bearman’s future with Haas. Among the rumors circulating was a claim that the British driver’s management was demanding a €6 million ($6.72 million) fee as part of negotiations.

Speaking about the rumors during the FIA’s Friday press conference in Mexico, Komatsu called it a false claim.

“I don’t know who smoked up this €6million number,” Komatsu said. “I have no comment to make because it’s just not even close to the truth. Why do we engage in such absolute nonsense? What’s the point of it?

“Those people are clearly not trying to get anything right; it’s amazing these days that people don’t check the source. ‘So, OK, I want to get some more clicks, I want to get some more likes’, so they cut and paste those stories and keep running with it.”

Ayao Komatsu Says ‘Ollie Is Showing Amazing Potential’

While addressing the Bearman’s €6 million rumor, Komatsu refused to discuss the details of Bearman’s contract negotiations and made it clear that the team is pleased with the young driver’s development and contribution.

“I don’t like to go into the details of our contract, but Ollie is showing amazing potential,” Komatsu said. “He’s contributing a lot to the team’s success, and we want to grow together. We want to move up the grid as a team.”

Oliver Bearman made his full-time F1 debut with Haas in 2025 and finished the campaign in 13^th place in the drivers’ standings, with a best finish of P4 in Mexico.

The 21-year-old has scored four top-10 finishes in his second season with the team and stands 13^th in the points standings, with five rounds remaining in the 2026 season.

Komatsu, who has been serving as Haas team principal since 2024, made clear that the team’s immediate priority is preparing a competitive package for the 2027 season.

Oliver Bearman Shares His Plans for 2027 F1 Season

Ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix this weekend, Bearman confirmed that continuing with Haas is his clear goal and top priority for 2027, noting that negotiations are ongoing in the background.

“No, I think it’s very clear, I want to continue with Haas,” Bearman told the media. “That’s definitely my goal.

“There are 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 finalising a few things on that front.”

Haas F1 team recently announced Formula 2 frontrunner Rafael Camara will join the lineup for 2027 following the team’s announcement of Esteban Ocon’s departure.

As the Mexico GP weekend has begun, Oliver Bearman experienced a mixed and challenging Friday practice session, battling mechanical setbacks across both sessions. He finished P9 and P14 in FP1 and FP2, respectively.

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Written by

Yash Soni

Yash Soni is a Formula 1 writer with over four years of experience in digital sports journalism. He specializes in F1 news, race analysis, team updates, and paddock stories. With a strong focus on accuracy, research, and SEO-driven storytelling, he aims to deliver engaging and informative coverage that keeps motorsport fans up to date with the latest developments in Formula 1.

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