Komatsu Slams 'Absolute Nonsense' €6m Bearman Contract Rumours

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has emphatically shut down speculation that Oliver Bearman's contract renewal is being stalled by a €6 million salary demand, branding the story "absolute nonsense" in Mexico City. With Bearman widely expected to remain with the team through 2027, the wait for an official announcement had left room for paddock rumour — and Komatsu had no appetite for it.

Why it matters:

The exchange says plenty about how quickly unsourced claims now travel through F1's information ecosystem, and how much pressure team principals feel to answer stories with no factual basis. For Haas, the more relevant issue is a driver line-up that is still not formally locked in, despite clear intent from both sides.

The details:

• Komatsu said he first saw the €6 million figure on Instagram after it was forwarded by Haas communications chief Stu Morrison, and insisted it is "not even close to the truth."
• He likened it to a Miami rumour that he had argued with Esteban Ocon, calling that claim equally baseless and criticising outlets that "cut and paste" stories without checking sources.
• On the delay: Komatsu declined to explain the hold-up. "I don't think I can go into the details of what's the hold-up," he said.
• On intent: He stressed both parties want to continue, describing a relationship where "we work really well together, push each other" and where Bearman "brings a lot to the team."
• Bearman, still a Ferrari-affiliated driver, had said earlier in the weekend that the decision was "not really in my hands."

What's next:

The deal remains unsigned on paper, but Komatsu's message was unambiguous: money is not the sticking point. An announcement should follow once the outstanding details are settled — and the Haas boss looks set to keep swinging at stories he considers invented.