Brendon Hartley to make F1 debut with Toro Rosso

Brendon Hartley will make his Formula 1 debut at Austin with Toro Rosso at next weekends United States Grand Prix, it has been announced yesterday (13/10/17).



The Porsche Le Mans driver will replace Pierre Gasly, who will compete for the Super Formula title at Suzuka next weekend.



Hartley becomes the first driver from New Zealand to race in F1 since Mike Thackwell in 1984. and also the first WEC driver to race in F1 since the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix when André Lotterer drove for Caterham.

Hartley will partner Danii Kvyat in Austin, who Daniil Kvyat will return to Toro Rosso after having missed the Malaysian and Japanese Grands Prix,



Hartley does have previous experience in F1, he was a test driver for both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso in 2009 and 2010 part of Red Bull's junior academy.



Recently with Mercedes in 2012 and 2013.



But his achieved success is in sports cars, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year with Porsche. And even winning the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2015 and looks to be curtain to win again this season with Porsche, also winning last weekends Petit Le Mans with the Tequila Patrón ESM team.



A surprising bit of news, anyway, good luck Brendon Hartley for next weekend at Austin.