A door opened and a seat became available on Friday for British teenager Ollie Bearman to secure a place on the Formula One grid next season.

The 18-year-old, who made a fine debut for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia last month, is helped by news that Nico Hulkenburg will leave Haas at the end of the year.

The 36-year-old German is joining the old Sauber team, which is due to be rebooted as Audi in 2026.

 

That means there is a vacancy at the Ferrari-powered Haas.

 Bearman, a Ferrari junior driver, is expected to be handed it.

+4
View gallery

A door has opened for British driver Oliver Bearman, 18, to earn a seat in F1 for next season

+4
View gallery

Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg (second right) will leave the team for Sauber at the end of the season