Key Highlights
- Ollie Bearman is expected to remain with Haas for 2027, with contract details still to be finalized.
- Cadillac must decide whether to retain Valtteri Bottas or promote American reserve driver Colton Herta alongside Sergio Perez.
- Esteban Ocon could miss out on a 2027 race seat but is believed to have options for a reserve role and a return to Formula 1.
Haas Expected to Finalize Ollie Bearman’s 2027 Contract
The Formula 1 driver market is close to being settled, with the future of Ollie Bearman at Haas representing the main outstanding contract detail. Racing Bulls are set to retain Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad for next season, leaving Haas as the seat still awaiting formal confirmation.
Bearman is the incumbent at the American team and is expected to continue racing for Haas in 2027. However, his management, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur have yet to complete the agreement. The 21-year-old Briton is a Ferrari junior driver and is in his second full season with Haas.
Bearman currently sits 13th in the drivers’ standings with 23 points. He has made progress during his second campaign, particularly in qualifying pace and racecraft, while also producing several impressive overtaking performances. Haas wants to keep him, making the negotiations primarily a matter of agreeing the terms of the deal.
The contract is significant for Bearman because Ferrari’s future driver options remain limited if Lewis Hamilton continues to perform at a high level. Should Hamilton remain with Ferrari, there is unlikely to be an immediate opportunity for Bearman to move into the team’s race seat. Haas provides Bearman with a strong platform for now, and his stated focus is helping the team progress and pursue the first podium in its history, but he also understands that he cannot remain there indefinitely if he wants to advance his career.
The situation is therefore viewed as a matter of when, rather than if, Bearman’s Haas deal for 2027 is completed.
Cadillac Weighs Valtteri Bottas Against Colton Herta
Although Bearman’s agreement would effectively finalize the expected grid, a possible change remains under consideration at Cadillac. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas joined the new team on multi-year contracts, but those agreements included options that had to be activated to confirm their places for a second season in 2027.
Before the Mexico City Grand Prix, Cadillac announced that Perez had signed an extended agreement keeping him with the team until at least the end of 2029. The team has not yet announced whether Bottas will continue, creating a potential opening for American reserve driver Colton Herta.
Herta has struggled in Formula 2 and currently sits 19th in the standings. However, he has impressed during FP1 sessions at the wheel of a Cadillac, and the American team is keen to field a driver from the United States on merit. By participating in the opening practice session in Brazil, Herta secured the final point required for his Super Licence, removing a key obstacle to a possible Formula 1 debut.
Cadillac must now decide whether to give Herta his first F1 race opportunity next year or retain Bottas alongside Perez. Bottas is 37 years old and a 10-time Grand Prix winner, while Herta would provide Cadillac with an American driver and a potential long-term option for the team.
Esteban Ocon Faces a Difficult Route Back
The decisions at Haas and Cadillac could leave Esteban Ocon without a place on the 2027 Formula 1 grid. Haas is expected to continue with Bearman, while Cadillac’s second seat is likely to go to either Bottas or Herta. Ocon made his F1 debut in 2016 and is now seeking a route back into the championship.
Earlier this month, Haas announced that Ocon would not complete the season with the team. He was already scheduled to leave at the end of the year, but the early departure further reduces his immediate opportunities for a race seat.
Ocon has won one Grand Prix, secured four podium finishes and scored 490 points across 198 starts. Despite those achievements, he may initially have to target a reserve position at best. His experience in Formula 1 is expected to give him options for 2027, although the available race seats appear increasingly limited.
Why This Matters
The remaining decisions illustrate how a small number of contract options can affect the entire Formula 1 driver market. Bearman’s expected continuation at Haas would remove one potential seat, while Cadillac’s choice between Bottas and Herta could determine whether an experienced winner stays on the grid or an American driver makes his F1 debut.
For Ocon, the outcome demonstrates the limited space available to drivers seeking a return. With the established teams and newcomers narrowing their line-ups, his most realistic short-term route may involve a reserve role while he waits for a future race-seat opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Ollie Bearman race for Haas in 2027?
Bearman is expected to remain with Haas in 2027, but the contract details still need to be agreed by his management, Haas boss Ayao Komatsu and Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur.
Who could drive for Cadillac alongside Sergio Perez?
Cadillac must choose between retaining 37-year-old Valtteri Bottas and promoting American reserve driver Colton Herta. Herta has now secured the final Super Licence point required for a potential F1 drive.
Will Esteban Ocon have a Formula 1 seat in 2027?
Ocon could miss out on a race seat if Haas retains Bearman and Cadillac selects Bottas or Herta. He is believed to have options for 2027, initially potentially in a reserve role.
