Hartley’s seat rejected by British driver

Kiwi Brendon Hartley appears to be on thin ice at Toro Rosso, with his Formula One team reportedly offering his ride to young Brit Lando Norris.

The Daily Mail reported that 18-yearold Norris had been offered the car for the remainder of the season but his employer Mclaren turned them down.

A Mclaren spokesman told the Daily Mail: ‘‘We are not surprised that other teams approach our drivers. They clearly believe they are as talented as we do.’’

The newspaper reported it was believed Norris would have replaced Hartley from next month’s Austrian Grand Prix onwards had Toro Rosso got their way.

Hartley suffered more frustration last month as he crashed out of the Monaco Grand Prix as Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo swept to victory.

Hartley was giving the top 10 a nudge late in the race when he was hit by the Sauber of Charles Leclerc and forced to withdraw.

Rumours have been rife in the world of F1 over the past few weeks that the Kiwi driver could be cut free by his Toro Rosso team mid-season.

Hartley, in his first full season of F1, has been struggling for speed in 2018 and has only managed to collect a solitary point in five races.

He currently sits in 18th position in the Formula One standings but teammate Pierre Gasly is up in 12th on 12 points.