Hartley makes a point as Hamilton bags GP
New Zealand driver Brendon Hartley has had a Formula One breakthrough, scoring his first point after finishing 10th at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Hartley, driving for Toro Rosso, qualified second to last after a controversial weekend but moved into the top 10 when seven drivers failed to finish the race yesterday.
It was the best result by a New Zealander in
F1 since Chris Amon took his final career points in Spain in 1976.
Luck shone on Lewis Hamilton as he returned to the top of the Formula One drivers’ championship with victory.
Hartley had plenty of focus on him after almost causing a colossal crash for team-mate Pierre Gasly in qualifying on Sunday. ‘‘That was an interesting race,’’ a relieved Hartley said later, admitting he had some pace problems. ‘‘From my point of view, I kept it clean but we didn’t really have the pace today to challenge in the midfield. ‘‘In the areas we needed to overtake we just couldn’t get close enough.
‘‘There was a lot of drama around me, but I managed to keep my nose clean and take home my first world championship point in F1, which is great.
‘‘It was important for me to get to the end of the race today – especially after yesterday.
‘‘I think at times during the race the pace was OK, but on the ultra-soft tyre at the end I didn’t feel like I could challenge the cars in front.
‘‘I would have loved to attack a bit more but let’s be happy with a point on the board. I’ll take this momentum into the next race.’’
There was no lack of action and with Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari clearly faster than Hamilton and his Mercedes, it took a crash, a mistimed lunge and a puncture to elevate Hamilton to the top spot in Baku.