Driver’s seat for Hartley
Formula One team Toro Rosso’s unsettled driver lineup in recent weeks is presenting an opportunity for Kiwi Brendon Hartley to press a claim for more drives this season as he makes his debut in the sport at the US Grand Prix this weekend.
Hartley has replaced French rookie Pierre Gasly for this weekend’s race at the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas, becoming the ninth Kiwi to get behind the wheel of an F1 car, and the first since Mike Thackwell in 1984.
Driver Daniil Kyvat had been dropped in favour of Gasly for the last two races, in Malaysia and Japan, and there was no guarantee that the Russian would keep the other Toro Rosso seat for the rest of the season - depending on how Le Mans winner Hartley performed this weekend.
Gasly, who this weekend is racing in the Japanese Super Formula, will return for next weekend’s Grand Prix in Mexico and Hartley could join him in place of Kyvat.
After Mexico there were two more grand prix this year, the first in Brazil and then the finale in Abu Dhabi.
Toro Rosso’s other driver, Carlos Sainz Jr, has left the team for Renault.
Kyvat is back with Toro Rosso this weekend with Hartley, who was thought to have been signed for just the one race.
But motorsport promoter Boris Shulmeystera told Russian sports website Championat that Kyvat should be worried about retaining his place with Toro Rosso when Gasly returns in Mexico.
‘‘I do not understand the political games of Formula One very well,’’ Shulmeystera said. ‘‘But judging from the rumours, if I were Daniil then I would be worried.
‘‘It is a pity that such a talented driver is first transferred from the senior to the junior team. And now to find himself struggling to survive.
‘‘I hope I’m wrong.’’