Hartley happy back in endurance racing
Brendon Hartley has revealed a return to endurance racing was his preference once his Formula 1 contract was terminated.
The New Zealand driver lost his seat with Formula 1 team Toro Rosso late last year.
He confirmed this week he had signed a two-event deal with Russian outfit SMP Racing for the American and Belgium legs of the World Endurance Championship where he is a former champion with Porsche.
Hartley has also managed to keep involved with Formula 1, landing a simulator driving job with glamour team Ferrari for 2019.
The 29-year-old said when he learned he had lost his F1 drive to Alexander Albon he ‘‘remained positive and knew that other opportunities would come around’’.
‘‘I was looking at a broad spectrum outside of F1, also with the intent of keeping the foot in the door, which is what has happened,’’ Hartley said.
‘‘At the end of last year I started reaching out to a few of the known teams that could be potentially looking for drivers, especially in the WEC. SMP was one of the teams that I contacted.
‘‘Literally one week ago, or maybe slightly more, SMP contacted me again and said actually we have a possibility for the next couple of races in the WEC and if I was interested.
‘‘I have great memories and history in the WEC and getting back into endurance racing was something that was very high on my priority list, and this was really a perfect way to re-enter the WEC.’’
He described SMP as ‘‘a proper team, a proper project’’ and believed a podium was possible in Florida where he will have his first WEC drive since the seasonending event in Bahrain in 2017.
Hartley has ambitions of another Le Mans 24 Hours drive this year though that won’t be for SMP who have former F1 star Jensen Button returning for the famous race.
Hartley confirmed he will also be involved with Porsche’s latest project, as they get set to enter the Formula E circuit.