Schumacher mentions that Haas might be at risk of losing both of its drivers by 2027.

      "I can envision that Ferrari holds the right of first refusal."

      Ralf Schumacher has stated that Haas might be facing a complete driver crisis with increasing speculation surrounding Esteban Ocon’s future. Ocon, 29, is under intensified scrutiny this season due to rising reports of discord within Haas and a disappointing performance gap compared to his impressive teammate, Oliver Bearman. In an interview with Sky Deutschland, Schumacher indicated that Haas could be on the verge of losing both their current drivers. "Haas is indeed in a difficult position," he remarked. "I anticipate Bearman will soon have the opportunity to drive for a larger team." Bearman remains closely affiliated with Ferrari through the Ferrari Driver Academy, and Schumacher opines that the Italian team effectively governs his destiny. "I can see Ferrari having the right of first refusal on Bearman should they need him," he elaborated. "This means if Lewis Hamilton truly decides to retire, Bearman would likely leave too." Schumacher was notably more critical when addressing Ocon. "One thing is clear - Ocon isn’t performing well enough," he stated. "At best, he’s comparable to Bearman, but usually not as good. And Bearman is still at the start of his career - he’s still growing." The former grand prix champion believes Ocon's future in Formula 1 is now very uncertain. "I cannot imagine Ocon will be seen next year," Schumacher commented. "That seems pretty much established unless some team faces a significant issue." The German also mentioned that Haas might even consider a driver change before the end of the current season. "Changing a driver mid-year is uncommon, but it’s a possibility," he cautioned. "This could involve looking at Formula 2 and providing an opportunity to a top Formula 2 driver early on." Schumacher appeared to affirm speculation that deeper interpersonal issues could be influencing Ocon’s current situation. "When you meet Esteban Ocon, he’s an incredibly kind, articulate person," he noted. "However, he seems to be quite difficult within the team, especially when he’s slower." "This was already evident with Pierre Gasly at Alpine, and it’s happening now with Bearman at Haas." The 50-year-old believes that maintaining internal harmony is essential for a mid-tier team like Haas. "You can cope with many issues, of course, but not with an adversary within your own organization," Schumacher stated. He mentioned that Toto Wolff could play a significant role in Ocon’s next move. "From what I hear, he is apparently a protégé of Toto Wolff," Schumacher said. "So I am 100 percent convinced that management is advising him to maintain a low profile."