Sacking rumours surprise Hartley

Brendon Hartley says speculation that he is about to be dumped out of Formula One is news to him.

Rumours are rife in the world of F1 that the Kiwi driver could be cut free by his Toro Rosso team mid-season.

Some of those whispers point to this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix being Hartley’s last outing with names of replacements already being thrown around.

Hartley, in his first full season of F1, has been struggling for speed and has only managed a solitary point in five races. He sits in 18th position in the standings, while teammate Pierre Gasly is 12th on 12 points.

Hartley has also been caught up in several on-track incidents, including a dramatic smash in the final practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.

But an early exit is news to the Kiwi, 28, who is signed for the full 2018 season.

‘‘I was surprised to hear that. I have a contract, so I was surprised to hear,’’ Hartley said.

‘‘There’s always a lot of rumours in Formula 1, so as a driver, it’s better not to read too much. I know that I’m a team player. I’m working very hard behind the scenes. I know I’m more than capable.

‘‘I think people sometimes have quite short memories in Formula 1. Things move very quick, and from one weekend to the next, the whole story can be a very different one.’’

The rumours on Hartley’s future first came to light at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this month.

After speculation Hartley was going to be replaced by former F1 driver Pascal Wehrlein, Red Bull