Haas denies Bearman pay-rumour contract delay

Reports linking Oliver Bearman’s Haas contract delay to salary demands were denied by Ayao Komatsu before the Mexico Grand Prix weekend.

Reports that Oliver Bearman’s contract talks with Haas were delayed by salary demands were denied by team principal Ayao Komatsu ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix weekend. Formula1.com reported that Komatsu rejected the claim, while Motorsport.com said the story gained traction even though most of the Formula 1 driver market appeared close to settled.

RaceFans reported that Komatsu also pushed back on the specific financial figure attached to the rumour. With no new deal announced and the team denying the claim, the salary issue remains an unconfirmed report rather than an established reason for any delay.

Bearman, born on 8 May 2005, has made 36 Formula 1 starts for Ferrari and Haas F1 Team from 2024 to 2026. He arrived at that point in the 2026 season 13th in the drivers’ championship on 23 points, while Haas was in its 11th Formula 1 campaign since joining the grid in 2016 and was still seeking its first win and first constructors’ title.