David Croft says Haas risks losing Ollie Bearman if it cannot deliver a consistent car, putting the Ferrari junior’s 2027 options under scrutiny.
Ollie Bearman is now one of the most closely watched drivers in Formula 1’s 2027 market after David Croft warned that Haas risks losing the Ferrari-backed prospect unless it can provide a consistent car.
The Sky Sports F1 commentator said during a recent podcast discussion that Bearman was effectively available, while stressing that this was his own opinion. Croft said his assessment came after a private conversation with a current team principal.
Croft raises the Haas question
Croft focused on funding and performance. He said Bearman cannot stay at Haas if the team does not have the resources to give him and Esteban Ocon a car they can drive properly, without persistent inconsistencies.
No negotiation between Bearman and another team has been confirmed. The paddock discussion still carries weight because both Haas drivers are reported to be out of contract at the end of the 2026 season.
Bearman’s Ferrari link adds intrigue
Bearman’s position within Ferrari’s junior structure adds significance to each decision. Haas gives him a full-time Formula 1 seat, but assessments of his longer-term career have regularly included the prospect of a future Ferrari move.
That leaves him with a delicate decision for 2027.
A new Haas deal would offer continuity alongside Ocon. A move elsewhere might bring stronger long-term prospects, although the leading teams currently look settled. Max Verstappen has confirmed he will remain at Red Bull, while Toto Wolff has said George Russell is “definitely staying” at Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli is also expected to continue.
New seats reshape Bearman’s options
Cadillac’s arrival expands the grid from 20 cars to 22 for 2026, creating two additional seats in a market with few vacancies near the front. Audi and Alpine also sit at the heart of the midfield discussion.
Recent market reporting says Audi has the financial capacity to offer three-year agreements as it pursues an established driver. Alpine, meanwhile, has been linked with experienced options. Neither team has been reported as holding confirmed talks with Bearman.
That distinction matters. Croft’s remarks are informed opinion, rather than evidence that Bearman has asked to leave or that Haas has failed to fund its program.
Haas faces a defining retention test
Bearman would draw attention if he became available because young drivers with Formula 1 experience and manufacturer backing are scarce. Losing him would also force Haas to address its 2027 lineup while rival projects chase the same driver pool.
Bearman remains a Haas driver and Ferrari junior. His next concrete chance to shape the discussion comes after the summer break, when Formula 1 returns to Zandvoort for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix.
