Hartley in high demand
Axed Formula One driver Brendon Hartley has picked up yet another opportunity.
Hartley, 29, has been signed by Action Express Racing to replace the retiring Christian Fittipaldi for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.
He will partner with regular drivers Joao Barbosa and Filipe Albuquerque in next month’s endurance race.
Hartley, who was dumped from his F1 team Toro Rosso late last year, has not been short of offers for 2019.
Earlier this month, Hartley was confirmed for a simulator role with F1 team Ferrari and he also signed for Russian outfit SMP Racing for the American and Belgium legs of the World Endurance Championship. Hartley is a former champion of the World Endurance Championship with Porsche. He remains signed as part of Porsche’s 2019 factory lineup.
The Kiwi driver will drive the Action Express Racing Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPI-V.R with Barbosa and Albuquerque in the iconic 12-hour race.
Fittipaldi ran his last race for Action Express Racing during the Rolex 24 in January before announcing his retirement.
‘‘With Christian (Fittipaldi) deciding to retire, we needed to find another driver who is fast and a great team player, and Brendon (Hartley) has a great background and attitude that should be a great match with Joao (Barbosa) and Filipe (Albuquerque),’’ Action Express Racing team manager Gary Nelson said.
‘‘We’ve followed Brendon through the years since we first saw him race so well in GrandAm, so we are glad that it worked out for him to join us at Sebring.’’
Hartley is a former winner of the 24 hour Le Mans race but is still chasing a seat in the 2019 edition of the race.