Autosport has reported:

Oliver Bearman is expected to remain with Haas for the 2027 Formula 1 season, but the team has not announced an extension as it works through questions about his longer-term future. Both Bearman and Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu have said they want to continue together. The delay centres on what another year with Haas could mean for the British driver’s prospects in 2028, rather than uncertainty about his place for 2027.

Haas has already confirmed the driver who will replace Esteban Ocon in its second seat for 2027, while Bearman’s own status remains formally unresolved. The timing has appeared unusual as Bearman has delivered a strong second season in Formula 1. He is seeking a third year with the team, and Haas is keen to retain him.

Speaking in Mexico on Thursday, Bearman said: “I think it's very clear. I want to continue with Haas and that's definitely my goal. It's not really in my hands. If it was up to me, it would have already been announced a long time ago, but there are a few bigger picture things that we're working on.”

Komatsu declined to discuss the terms of the contract, but praised Bearman’s contribution and potential. “I don't like to go into the details of our contract, but Ollie is showing amazing potential. 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.”

The team principal also rejected unsubstantiated rumours that Bearman’s demands over pay were holding up an agreement, calling that explanation “absolute nonsense”. Komatsu said there was no disagreement over the intention to continue working together, while leaving the details of the delay undisclosed.

“I don't think I can go into the details of the what's the hold up, but it's very clear from both parties that they want to continue working together,” he said. “We work really well together, push each other. He brings a lot to the team and then we are growing together so our intentions from both parties are fully aligned. We're trying to find a solution to work together next year and I'm sure we will”.

The longer-term question involves Ferrari, which has supported Bearman through its Driver Academy. He remains on course to complete the programme’s full path from Formula 4 to a race seat with the Scuderia. Charles Leclerc is the only driver so far to have completed that entire route.

Ferrari’s available seats for 2028 are uncertain. Lewis Hamilton has regained form this year and exercised a contractual option that secured his place at Ferrari for 2027. His recent comments about how long he intends to continue in the sport do not suggest he is preparing to leave Ferrari or Formula 1 soon. Leclerc has also agreed to a long-term contract extension that runs until at least 2030.

Bearman, who is 21, has spent three years on loan at customer team Haas, and Ferrari may not be able to guarantee him a seat in 2028. If it cannot, he would be free to leave Maranello and consider other opportunities. The terms being discussed now appear intended to keep a 2027 extension from limiting his choices beyond that season.

The interests of the parties appear compatible: Haas wants to keep Bearman, Bearman wants to race, and Ferrari has invested in his development for years. The difficulty is that no one can guarantee today what Ferrari’s line-up will look like two seasons from now. The question under discussion is how to secure Bearman’s next season at Haas while preserving his prospects for 2028.

That uncertainty has made an announcement that seemed close to a formality only a few weeks ago take longer to resolve. The conversations are continuing behind closed doors, with both sides publicly expressing confidence that they can find a solution. Bearman’s immediate aim remains a third season with Haas, while the outstanding detail concerns the freedom to pursue future opportunities if Ferrari has no seat for him.