BRITISH F1 hero Oliver Bearman is set to be rewarded with a place in F1 next season with the Haas team.
The 18-year-old finished seventh for Ferrari in the Saudi Arabian GP on Saturday after just an hour-long practice session and qualifying in 11th place the previous day.
Bearman, who was cheered on by his dad, was called up as an 11th hour replacement for Carlos Sainz who had appendicitis.
Sainz underwent surgery in Jeddah and was unable to take part in qualifying or the race, giving Essex-born Bearman his big chance.
And the Ferrari young driver is now poised to be signed for next season by Haas, as part of their partnership with the Italian team.
Bearman, who will also compete in the Australian GP should Sainz not be passed fit, will otherwise resume this season in Formula 2.
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However, he has already impressed Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton, who will join the Italian team next season.
Hamilton said: “The Ferrari firstly is very strong, obviously it’s the closest to the Red Bulls.
“But to be pulled out of your class and put straight into a Ferrari – a top team – and have to go straight into practice without long runs and all that sort of stuff, he’s done such a phenomenal job this weekend.
“But if you’ve got the speed and the talent, then it’s another race car.
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He clearly had the confidence straight from the off, pushing the car to the limit.
“I respect him for the job he’s done, and fully expect to see him on the grid next year or the year after.”
Meanwhile, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was more cautious about over-hyping the teenager.
He added: “The best way to help him is not to draw a conclusion, we have to take it easy.
“He will have other opportunity during the season to do FP1, to test the car, and we will do it properly.
“The main focus is and will stay the F2 this season where he has a huge challenge that I will keep in mind.”
When asked if Sainz would be fit enough to race in Melbourne in two weeks time, he said: “It was a strange situation, we thought it was food intoxication.
“He struggled a lot Thursday with fever and stomach issues and at the end he was convinced it would be much better the day after.
“He was in the hospital and it was quite clear we were not going in the right direction. Thanks to the hospital in Jeddah and everybody from the organisation they did the surgery and he was completely okay.
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“He has the pain and is struggling to walk, but it’s a huge recovery.
Now we have to be focused on Melbourne, he needs to have a good rest this week and we’ll see next week.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
