Oliver Bearman will return to F1 with a different team next season

British F1 hero Oliver Bearman will be rewarded with a place in F1 with the Haas team next season.

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 day before.

Oliver Bearman impressed on his Formula 1 debutCredit: Getty

The 18-year-old defeated Lewis Hamilton in the FerrariCredit: The Mega Agency

Bearman impressed Hamilton with his performanceCredit: Getty

Bearman, who was cheered on by his father, was called up as a 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 young Ferrari driver is now set to be signed by Haas for next season as part of their partnership with the Italian team.

Bearman, who will also participate in the Australian GP if Sainz is not found fit, will otherwise resume in Formula 2 this season.

However, he has already impressed Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton, who will join the Italian team next season.

Hamilton said: “First of all, the Ferrari is very strong, obviously it is closest to the Red Bulls.

But to be taken out of your class and put straight into a Ferrari – a top team – and have to go straight to training without long runs and things like that, he did such a phenomenal job this weekend.

“But if you have the speed and the talent, then it’s a race car again.

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He clearly had the confidence from the start and pushed the car to its limits.

“I respect him for the work he has done and expect to see him on the grid next year or the year after.”

Meet Oliver Bearman, the British F1 star making his Ferrari debut, who speaks Italian and has a famous brother

Meanwhile, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was more cautious about overhyping the teenager.

He added: “The best way to help him is not to jump to a conclusion, we have to take it slow.

“He will get another chance to drive FP1 during the season, to test the car, and we will do that in the right way.

“The main focus this season is and remains F2, where he has a huge challenge that I will keep in mind.”

Asked whether Sainz would be fit enough to race in Melbourne in two weeks, he said: “It was a strange situation, we thought it was food poisoning.

“He struggled a lot with fever and stomach problems on Thursday and was ultimately convinced that he would be much better the next day.

“He was in hospital and it was very clear that we were not going in the right direction. Thanks to the hospital in Jeddah and everyone from the organization, they performed the operation and he was completely fine.

“He is in pain and has difficulty walking, but the recovery is enormous.

Now we have to concentrate on Melbourne, he has to rest well this week and we will see next week.”