Hartley says he’s ‘not allowed to comment’ further on Gasly remark after questioning Toro Rosso claim

Brendon Hartley says he is “not allowed to comment” on a remark he made disputing Toro Rosso’s claim that Pierre Gasly’s Formula 1 car was damaged in America.

Hartley’s F1 career is under threat with ongoing speculation linking Nissan e.dams Formula E driver Alexander Albon to the second Toro Rosso seat.

But he went against the team’s report after the United States GP that Gasly was limited by damage was untrue.

“I feel like I have got stronger all season,” said Hartley. “I proved that in Austin [with ninth place], despite what it says in the press releases there was nothing wrong with the other car in the race.

“I know I’ve been doing a good job and been a big help to the team in terms of development with Honda and been a team player all season. I hope I’ll be there next year.”

Gasly and Tost were both quoted in Toro Rosso’s post-race press release commenting on damage to Gasly’s floor, a communication that the team stands by. Asked after qualifying in Mexico on Saturday if he stood by his own remarks or had any new information regarding the situation, Hartley replied: “I’m not allowed to comment on that.” Gasly reiterated his floor was damaged when asked to describe it.

He said the first impact occurred when he ran off-track avoiding the crash between Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso at the esses on the opening lap and he had “a pretty big jump”.

On the comments Hartley made about the Austin damage, Gasly said: “At the moment he says a lot of things. I don’t need to comment anything.”