Haas has yet to announce its driver line-up for the 2027 season, but the American team is far from short on options. Team principal Ayao Komatsu has made it clear that performance is the primary factor in deciding who will occupy the second seat alongside Oliver Bearman, who is expected to stay.
Komatsu emphasised that speed is non-negotiable. "I've always said, we take drivers by performance, so performance comes absolutely first," he told the media. "If two drivers have got equal performance, affiliations or the packages they've got matter. But we never take somebody who is three-tenths slower, but who has got affiliations with Toyota or Ferrari, or got 5 million more. We're not going to do that, so it's all about performance first."
With that statement, Haas has sent a clear message that the second seat is wide open. Several names have been linked, including reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, current F2 title protagonist Rafael Camara, and Haas reserve driver Jack Doohan. Komatsu confirmed that five drivers are interested, calling the situation "very fortunate" for the team.
However, an official announcement is not expected anytime soon. When asked when a decision would be made, Komatsu replied: "I don't know, not next week, shall I say." This gives candidates room to continue proving themselves both on and off the track.
For Haas, the 2027 season is a crucial moment to build a long-term foundation. With new technical regulations on the horizon, choosing the right driver is vital. Oliver Bearman, who joined in 2025, is expected to be the backbone of the team, while the second seat could be a stepping stone for young talent or an experienced driver seeking a revival.
Names like Fornaroli and Camara represent a hungry new generation. Meanwhile, Doohan, who previously raced for Alpine, has experience but is yet to fully prove himself in F1. Komatsu insists the final decision will be purely based on speed, regardless of external factors.
With five drivers reportedly interested, Haas is in a strong position to choose the best. But pressure remains: a wrong choice could impact the team's performance in an increasingly competitive season. Fans are eagerly awaiting who will fill the seat, while Komatsu and his team continue to evaluate each candidate carefully.
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