Oliver Bearman has confirmed that Ferrari maintains significant influence over his Formula 1 future, despite his clear intention to remain with Haas. The British driver indicated that ongoing contractual discussions for his 2027 seat involve both his management and Ferrari. Bearman’s comments were made ahead of the recent United States Grand Prix.
Haas has already confirmed one driver for its 2027 lineup. Rafael Camara, a 21-year-old Brazilian and fellow Ferrari Driver Academy member, will join the team on a multi-year contract.
Camara’s signing follows the confirmed departure of Esteban Ocon from Haas at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Ocon joined Haas from Alpine for the 2025 campaign.
Bearman is widely expected to secure a third season with Haas. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has publicly expressed the team’s desire to continue working with Bearman.
The 21-year-old Bearman has impressed since his full-time F1 debut with Haas in 2025. He has scored 23 points in the 2026 season, placing him P13 in the Drivers’ standings.
Rafael Camara currently leads the Formula 2 standings, having previously won the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship and the 2025 Formula 3 championship.
Haas team owner Gene Haas and Komatsu have both voiced confidence in Camara’s potential. Camara also participated in a test of the Haas VF-25 car at Portimão in August 2026.
Bearman’s long-term ambition is to secure a seat with a top-four team, with Ferrari being his ultimate goal due to his ties to their junior programme. He believes he is ready to contend for podium finishes.
However, a direct path to a Ferrari race seat is currently obstructed. Charles Leclerc recently signed a new long-term deal, and Lewis Hamilton has indicated he plans to race into the early 2030s.
Bearman made his Formula 1 debut at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, substituting for Carlos Sainz Jr. He finished seventh, a performance that was pivotal in his full-time F1 promotion.
Should Bearman’s contract be finalised, Haas is set to field an all-Ferrari junior driver lineup for 2027 with Bearman and Camara. This would represent one of the youngest pairings on the grid.
Komatsu has addressed suggestions of Haas becoming a Ferrari ‘B-team’, asserting that Haas retains full autonomy over its driver decisions. The team maintains a technical partnership with Ferrari for power units and components.
Esteban Ocon’s departure was confirmed on September 30, 2026. He has scored 12 points finishes in 39 Grands Prix with Haas, including a fifth-place finish in China in 2025.
Ocon has stated that his exit is not performance-related and that he does not believe he deserves to be out of Formula 1. He is actively exploring other opportunities for the 2027 season.
The remaining contractual details for Bearman’s 2027 Haas seat are currently being handled by his management and Ferrari.
