Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has outlined the timeline of when the team will confirm its 2027 Formula 1 line-up, amid fury regarding the rumours surrounding Esteban Ocon’s future.
Both men were aghast at unfounded claims that they had endured a falling-out over the Miami GP weekend, and that the Frenchman’s drive was under threat.
Ocon refuted the speculation at the Canadian Grand Prix as “complete bulls**t,” and likened it to “bullying,” with Komatsu similarly angry, saying: “How is that journalism? It’s just f**king bulls**t gossip.”
There is no doubt, however, that with teammate Ollie Bearman performing well and ahead in the Drivers’ standings, there will be a natural sense of wonderment at whether the former Alpine man will be under some pressure to improve his results.
In Canada, Komatsu was asked when the team will start to consider its 2027 line-up and plan accordingly.
“Around now time, like May, June, July,” he said. “I think everybody’s looking at next year’s drivers. It’s not just us, everyone.”
Komatsu was asked what decision he might make if forced to sooner, but with feelings still running high over the Ocon rumours, the Japanese shot back bluntly.
“I think a question like this is going to create some s**t, right?,” he said. “Because then people are going to take my word and say, ‘Oh, Ayao said if you decide now, you’re going to continue with Esteban, not continue with Esteban’.
“They take it completely out of context, so I’m not going to answer that question.”
Speculation has also continued around Bearman being an option for Ferrari in the near future, having been part of its academy for over four years, but Lewis Hamilton affirmed his intention to remain in the sport for some time to come.
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