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Racing Bulls has confirmed it will retain both Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad for next season, leaving just one official grid spot open while raising the possibility of a surprise change elsewhere.
The Final Unconfirmed Grid Spot at Haas
The remaining seat up for grabs is at the American squad Haas, where Ollie Bearman currently drives. The British driver and Ferrari junior is locked in for next year, though the team has not yet finalized the contract details.
Bearman currently holds 13th place in the drivers’ standings with 23 points in his second full season with the team. Ayao Komatsu of Haas, Fred Vasseur of Ferrari, and Bearman’s management are working on an agreement, with the terms holding significant weight for the driver’s future career progression.
While staying at Haas is a clear priority for now as he aims to secure the team’s first-ever podium, Bearman recognizes he cannot remain there indefinitely. According to Latest F1 News, finalizing the deal for 2027 is a matter of when rather than if.
Cadillac Weighs Options for Its Second Seat
Attention also turns to Cadillac, where Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas initially signed multi-year deals featuring options for the 2027 season. Perez recently extended his contract through at least the end of 2029 ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
An announcement regarding Bottas has not yet been made, opening speculation that American reserve driver Colton Herta could secure the seat for his F1 debut. Although Herta sits 19th in the F2 standings, he has performed well during FP1 sessions with Cadillac, and the American team strongly desires to field an American driver based on merit.
Herta earned the final point required for his Super Licence during opening practice in Brazil, removing regulatory hurdles for a potential promotion. Cadillac faces a choice between keeping the 37-year-old veteran Bottas alongside Perez or giving Herta his debut next year.
Esteban Ocon Seeks a Path Forward
With Haas retaining Bearman and Cadillac deciding between Bottas and Herta, no open grid positions remain for Esteban Ocon. Haas previously announced that Ocon would not finish the current season with the squad ahead of his planned departure.
Ocon holds a record of one Grand Prix victory, four podium finishes, and 490 points across 198 starts since debuting in 2016. Aiming to continue his career in the sport, he is exploring reserve driver options for 2027 to maintain a presence in the paddock.
