TORO ROSSO CONFIRM HARTLEY AND GASLY FOR 2018
Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley will continue with Toro Rosso for the 2018 Formula 1 championship.
The rookies, who have only competed in a total of seven grands prix between them, will complete their first full season in the championship next year. They will have the difficult task of helping develop the Honda engine when Toro Rosso switches to the Japanese manufacturer.
Team boss Franz Tost believes they will be up for the challenge.
“During this last part of the year they’ve shown that they’re ready for Formula 1, getting to grips with the car quickly, showing good performances and always demonstrating to be prepared for the challenge,” he said.
“We have been truly impressed by their steep learning curves.
As we know, F1 is something that not all drivers can adapt to this fast! Therefore, we’re looking forward to having a full year with them; one where we can hopefully provide them with a good package which, combined with driver consistency, can surely put them in the best possible situation to deliver.”
Gasly, who has been part of the Red Bull Junior Team since 2014, made his F1 debut in Malaysia, replacing Daniil Kvyat. The GP2 champion is yet to finish inside the points, with a best finish of 12th last weekend in Brazil.
“I’m super happy to race for Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2018 for my first proper season in Formula 1,” said Gasly.
“I’m really excited and super motivated to give it my all in Abu Dhabi and the whole of next year! I just can’t wait!”
Team-mate Brendon Hartley took a less traditional route to F1. The 28-year-old was dropped from the Red Bull Junior Team in 2010 and switched to the World Endurance Championship. Hartley has enjoyed a successful WEC career, taking two LMP1 titles and a 24 Hours of Le Mans win before returning to single seaters last month.
Hartley joined the F1 grid for the US GP, replacing Carlos Sainz Jnr when the Spaniard switched to Renault.
“It’s very satisfying to have converted an opportunity that came as a surprise into a 2018 F1 driver,” Hartley said. “I couldn’t be happier!"
“I’d like to thank Red Bull and Toro Rosso for believing in me and giving me this second chance – dreams can come true.
I’m now going to carry on working harder than ever in order to finish this busy end of season on a high and start the new year as strong as possible… Bring it!”
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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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