Hartley’s year in F1

One certainty expressed from the Hartley heartland – the Manawatu¯ kid who rose to compete in the world’s premier motorsport category will race on.

Toro Rosso’s abandonment of Brendon Hartley from its Formula One programme midway through his contract – announced on November 27, a day after his final drive at the Abu Dhabi season finale – remains contentious in his home region. Some are calling it bull.

Hartley Technology in Domain St, Palmerston North, is where father Bryan, mother Lynda and older brother Nelson prepare speedway-dominating engines and take quiet pride in Brendon’s career.

There have been quite a few calls to and from the driver’s home in Monaco since the team’s decision was aired but chat has not dwelled on what has happened and what might have been.

‘‘Yes, we’ve talked [about it],’’ says Nelson. ‘‘But it’s not the sole subject. We’ve probably talked more about his new push bike [Brendon and his wife, Sarah, are avid cyclists].’’

The family has appreciated locally-expressed support and is quietly chuffed that team powerplant partner Honda immediately expressed gratitude to Brendon for helping improve an engine that will serve the Red Bull teams in 2019. The Hartleys see this as a positive reflection on Brendon’s mechanical aptitude, developed on this very shop floor.

Some media attention, though, has been less welcoming. They’re pretty much over media seemingly intent on clickbait headlines, negativity and sensationalism.

Bryan has given short shrift to several journalists over the past couple of days.

‘‘I just said to them ‘unless you’ve got something positive to write, don’t even talk to me’.’’ The reaction? ‘‘It was just ‘ah, OK, see ya’.

‘‘I can’t be bothered with it. ‘‘Here’s a person who has won Le Mans and world titles, who has got into F1 where there are only 20 seats . . . and, yet, there are those who just want to be negative. As far as I’m concerned they can leave us alone.’’

Nelson wants to stress this is not the end of the world.

‘‘It’s not like anyone died. It’s just a change in his job role. It’s a roadblock for him at the moment but I doubt the dream is over.

‘‘I’ve seen him with a lot of teams over the years and I’m sure he will drive for some more.’’

His brother will be chasing new opportunities and will be doing it directly – that’s his style. What, where, who . . . that’s not for anyone but Brendon to discuss, in his own time.

‘‘You will see him again next year, in a different set of overalls, probably in a different car. He’ll still be racing; he’ll still be doing something he is bloody brilliant at.’’

Long-time friends and associates feel the same.

At Manfeild, the Feilding circuit where Hartley cut his teeth as a teenager and where a roadway was named in his honour last Christmas, there is immense sympathy.

‘‘It’s gutting for him. I’d have thought they’d have given him another crack,’’ says chief executive Julie Keane. ‘‘We know his values, he’s a down-to-earth guy who just doesn’t give up. We firmly believe his future opportunities are bright.’’

The Hartley family and the Manawatu¯ Car Club are tight so the news has not gone down well, secretary Jeff Braid says.

‘‘To say we’re disappointed would be putting it mildly. He’d shown some improvement. The boss of Toro Rosso seems to have had an exceedingly high expectation that did not match the calibre of the car.’’

Russell Harris, a Manawatu¯ motorsport identity who has been calling races at Manfeild for decades, proudly wears Toro Rosso Hartley No 28 fanwear and has models of the 2017 and 2018 cars.

His view? Four points in the F1 drivers’ championship to finish 19th of the 20 drivers underrepresents the real effort.

In the second part of the season especially, Hartley often had the measure of French team-mate Pierre Gasly, patently the team’s favourite and now off to Red Bull. Both had an equal count of nonfinishes.

‘‘The difference toward the end often came down to hundredths of seconds. There’s no doubt, too, that when conditions were wet, Brendon was outstanding.’’

Hartley can take pride that he has introduced F1 to Kiwis who previously had no interest in this sport.

As for the future? He’s still on the Porsche payroll and an ongoing association with Red Bull is unclear.

‘‘He’ll be in big demand. He has the talent. A year ago he had a contract with Chip Ganassi to race in Indycar alongside Scott Dixon. He didn’t drive because he had an opt-out to go to F1 if that opportunity arose. There are still sports car programmes. He says he wants to race at Bathurst one day.’’

Qualified 16th. Flatspotted front tyre opening lap. Puncture lap 20. Finished 15th.

Australia:

Qualified 11th, copped 30 second time penalty over misunderstanding of starting position rules. Finished 13th on track, 17th with time penalty.

Qualified 15th. Hit by team-mate on lap 31, put down to ‘miscommunication’. DNF.

Qualified 20th. P13 end of Lap 2, finished 10th. First championship point.

Qualified 20th, high g-force accident in third free practice, driver error. Finished race 12th, after chasing down and passing Ericsson in final laps.

Qualified 16th, five second penalty for speeding in pit lane. Early stop in race to replace front wing. Was 11th when forced into retirement when run into by Leclerc.

Bahrain: China: Azerbaijan: Spain: Monaco:

Qualified 12th. Taken out by Stroll, lap one. DNF.

Qualified 17th. Forced to start from back following engine component changes. Finished 14th, having run as high as 11th.

Qualified 19th. Looked set for points finish when car failed.

Canada: France: Austria:

With thanks to Russell Harris.