Venus rising Kiwi into Wimbledon final
Brendon Hartley’s mid-season Formula One report card throws up more questions than answers.
Kiwi Formula One driver Brendon Hartley is still struggling to string results together at the midway point of his first full season. Here’s how Hartley’s F1 career has unfolded.
British Grand Prix July 2018 Result: DNF Qualifying: DNS
Hartley’s latest F1 weekend was a dismal failure but no blame can be attributed to the Kiwi driver. Hartley, who missed qualifying following a dramatic crash in practice, was dealt another cruel blow on race day. His Honda machine was struck with technical issues meaning he was withdrawn. The crash in practice was also no fault of his, as his car had a suspension failure when travelling at around 300kph.
Austrian Grand Prix July 2018 Result: DNF Qualifying: 19th
Hartley completed just 54 of the 71 laps before forced to retire with a gearbox issue. He began from the rear of the grid after his team made engine component changes ‘‘for tactical reasons’’. The changes incurred a grid penalty. Hartley made strong progress and was in contention for his second top-10 finish of the season until the gearbox issues.
French Grand Prix June 2018 Result: 14th Qualifying: 17th
Hartley finished 14th - more than a lap behind winner Lewis Hamilton. His result was aided by five drivers either crashing out or failing to finish but lap one carnage also cost him time as he picked through the crashes. Hartley, who qualified 17th, was forced to start from the back of the grid following his team having to draw on extra engine components due to a problem in practice.
Canadian Grand Prix June 2018 Result: DNF Qualifying: 12th
An upgraded Honda engine had an immediate effect as Hartley qualified 12th – less than a second behind top qualifier Sebastian Vettel. But ultimately the weekend was a failure as Hartley failed to finish, after yet another crash. It was deemed to be the fault of Lance Stroll who lost control of his car and smashed Hartley, who was attempting a pass on the outside, up the wall. Hartley was disappointed because he felt he had the speed to earn a top 10 finish. However, following Hartley’s qualifying performance, Red Bull Racing consultant Dr Helmut Marko – who admitted they had been looking at replacements for Hartley – said the Kiwi’s future was now secure because he was more competitive with the upgraded Honda engine.
Monaco Grand Prix May 2018 Result: DNF Qualifying: 16th
Monaco was yet another frustrating case of would have, should have, could have for Hartley. He qualified 16th but in the race made good ground to 11th position, ready to pounce on a top 10 – all despite a five second penalty for speeding in the pit lane and an early pit-stop to fix minor front wing damage. His race came to an abrupt end with eight laps remaining when Charles Leclerc smashed into him from behind. The resulting damage forced both to withdraw. Despite the incident appearing to be the fault of Leclerc, stewards ruled it a brake failure and not the fault of either.
Spanish Grand Prix May 2018 Result: 12th Qualifying: DNS
Hartley’s weekend started poorly when he made a mistake in the final practice and crashed backward into a barrier wall. The rear end of his car snapped off as the crash team was taking it back to pit lane. Hartley bounced back to finish 12th from the back of the grid, after not starting qualifying. He was two laps behind race winner Hamilton and aided by six other drivers failing to finish but his result was a quality one.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix April 2018 Result: 10th Qualifying: DNF
Hartley’s best result of the season and career. His only top 10 finish and point of the season. Aided by other drivers failing to finish, Hartley was again struggled for pace. Following the race, he said the lack of pace prevented him from being able to get close enough to overtake. The weekend started on a poor note for Toro Rosso with Hartley almost cleaned up by French teammate Pierre Gasly in qualifying. Hartley was circulating slowly with a puncture and admitted he made a stupid mistake by not getting out of Gasly’s way. Hartley failed to complete qualifying and began the race from the back of the pack.
Chinese Grand Prix April 2018 Result: DNF Qualifying: 15th
In one of the more bizarre F1 incidents of the season, Hartley failed to finish following an incident where he was hit and spun out by Gasly. The Frenchman continued on to finish 18th but was handed a 10-second time penalty. Hartley was 15th in qualifying.
Bahrain Grand Prix April 2018 Result: 17th Qualifying: 11th
Hartley’s best qualifying performance of the season saw him 11th fastest, less than a second behind top qualifier Sebastian Vettel. On race day a 30-second time penalty for failing to retake his original starting position before reaching the safety-car line on the formation lap was a crippling blow.
Hartley crossed the finish 13th but the penalty dropped him to 17th.
Australian Grand Prix March 2018 Result: 15th Qualifying: 16th
Not the greatest start to his first full season in F1, but it could have been worse. After qualifying 16th, he finished 15th – effectively last with five drivers failing to finish. Hartley’s cause was not helped by a mid-race puncture.
Hartley was called up by Toro Rosso for four GPs at the tail end of the 2017 season
United States Grand Prix October 2017 Result: 13th Qualifying: 18th
A promising F1 debut, 13th after qualifying 18th.
Mexican Grand Prix October 2017 Result: DNF Qualifying: 13th
Hartley showed promise in his second crack at the big time, qualifying 13th. Engine issues brought an end to his GP.
Brazilian Grand Prix November 2017 Result: DNF Qualifying: 15th
Engine issues prevented him finishing a GP a second consecutive time.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix November 2017 Result: 15th Qualifying: 20th
In the final race of the 2017 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Hartley finished 15th after being the slowest in qualifying.