Russian for more points at Sochi
The F1 ride has been far from smooth for Toro Rosso driver
Kiwi Brendon Hartley is confident he has improved as a driver this season and is expecting better results in the final few races of the season, starting with the Russian Grand Prix this weekend.
It has been almost a year since Hartley got a surprise call-up to drive for Toro Rosso in Formula 1 and the ride has not been smooth.
He has just two championship points to show for his season, which has been marred by an underperforming car, some bad luck and a couple of missed opportunities.
While rumours still fly that Hartley’s seat is up for grabs, the 28-year-old insists he has improved as a driver during the year.
“I know I’ve improved, which is a big thing for any sportsperson,” he told Newstalk ZB.
“I can confidently say I have. There have been a lot of experiences, there have been some downs and some bad luck along the way, but I know it will all come together at some point.
“I do feel like I’ve developed a lot over the year.
“I’ve had some bad luck with penalties and engines and other stuff that’s gone on.
“Through my whole career, I’ve always said you have to make your own luck, but it’s fair to say I’ve been on the wrong end of things too many times this year.
“People do know that and see that.”
Hartley is contracted to race for Toro Rosso next season, although in the mega-wealthy world of Formula 1, teams are prepared to pay out drivers if they feel a better option looms.
The Le Mans winner has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent this year but missed out on a couple of races where teammate Pierre Gasly maximised his performance to score points — he now has 28.
“The thing I have against me is that my teammate has scored significantly more points than me,” Hartley said.
“I don’t have the points on the board, so I need some races for things to come together to show them I can do it under that pressure scenario.
“They haven’t given me exact targets and most of the time they are competing against my teammate.
“It is a cut-throat world — the driver market has been particularly unsettled the last few months. There is a lot of movement. I’m not panicking and I’m just focusing on my job.
“I have a contract for next year — obviously things can change quickly. The best thing I can do is focus on doing my job.”
This will be the first time Hartley has raced at the Sochi track and he has spent time learning the new track on a simulator.
“A new track for me — it’s built in the Olympic Park from when they had the Winter Olympics a few years ago.
“It’s a bit of a car park in terms of undulation and character around the track. It’s another street track and another chance to score some points.
“We generally prepare on the simulator before most races and especially races where the driver hasn’t been to.”
It is a cut-throat world — the driver market has been particularly unsettled the last few months. Brendon Hartley