Ayao Komatsu has dismissed as "total nonsense" the rumour that Oliver Bearman's salary demands are delaying an agreement for 2027. The Haas team principal was responding to reports suggesting the British driver has asked for a €6million (£5m) salary for his next contract.
Despite an impressive second season in Formula One with Haas, Bearman has yet to secure his place on next year's grid with the team. The wait has sparked speculation over the reason, with one rumour gaining traction on social media in recent days claiming Bearman has asked for an enormous salary figure.
Komatsu rejects salary claim
Bearman is believed to be earning less than £1million per year from the contract he signed in summer 2024 to secure his first F1 race seat as a rookie. His performances for the team over the last two years suggest a pay rise on that figure is warranted, though Haas remain F1's smallest team with a limited budget. If it were true that Bearman is demanding a €6million salary, that would clearly be a major sticking point between team and driver.
Asked about it in Friday's press conference at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Komatsu dismissed the claim out of hand. He said: "I have no idea where that comes from. Honestly. I've experienced this sometimes this season as well. Some people say there's no smoke without fire but, really, some people invent the story."
No truth in reports
Komatsu compared the situation to a previous rumour this season. "It happened in Miami, about apparently I had an argument with Esteban Ocon? That's just absolutely zero truth in there. Even those people claiming that they had some insider information, etcetera, absolute total nonsense. And this one, again."
He added: "I don't know who smoked up this six million euro number. The first time I saw it on Instagram or something, Stuart [Morrison, Haas communications chief] forwarded to me. I was just like, 'Oh, another great somebody came up with this, a good thing to stir whatever up.'"
Komatsu continued: "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 help anything, right?"
Bearman wants to stay
Komatsu was not willing to go into details about why no agreement has yet been reached between driver and team. But he told reporters including Express Sport earlier this month that he is keen to keep Bearman around, while the Brit said in Mexico this week that he wants to continue the working relationship.
Bearman said: "I think it's very clear: I want to continue with Haas, 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."
Asked when an announcement might come, Bearman added: "I don't know, to be honest. It's not really in my hands, I can tell you that. 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."
