Haas to Finalize 2027 Driver Line-Up Decision Within Weeks, Says Komatsu

Haas is on the brink of deciding its driver roster for the 2027 Formula 1 season, but Esteban Ocon's spot remains uncertain. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has indicated that the announcement will be made "within the next couple of weeks," but Ocon's future with the team is still up in the air.

This season, Ocon has been a regular subject of speculation about whether he will stay with Haas, and he has openly acknowledged that he is "definitely a free agent for next year." Speaking before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Komatsu addressed these ongoing discussions, making it clear that no final choice has been made yet.

"We haven't made any decision yet, but every driver has a closing point in the year to decide on options," Komatsu explained. "It just means we haven't decided on that option yet, but that was quite a long time ago. His situation hasn't really changed; we're still trying to find what we're going to do for next year."

Komatsu further clarified the timeline, stating, "Soon, within the next couple of weeks. We've done all the evaluation, we're just waiting to summarise our findings, have a discussion internally with Gene [Haas], and make the final decision."

While Ollie Bearman is expected to retain his seat, Ocon's potential replacement could come from a pool of promising candidates. Recent tests have featured reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, F2 race winner Rafael Camara, and reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa.

Komatsu emphasized the qualities Haas seeks in its drivers, saying, "What we're looking for in a driver, first and foremost, is the guy needs to have speed, the guy needs to be fast. That's something that is their talent. We cannot teach them the speed, so they need to be fast, but really they need to be a team player."

He added that the integration of drivers into the team, their ability to motivate, and their overall character are critical, especially for a smaller team like Haas. "The two drivers, the integration into the team, how they motivate and drive the team, is very important. It's got to be a character that is very important for us, but I think it's the same for any team, but maybe more for us like a small team," Komatsu concluded.