Toro Rosso retains Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley for 2018

In 2018, Toro Rosso will start with two almost rookie drivers in F1. Indeed, on the morning of the Australian Grand Prix, the two main drivers will have only nine combined starts in F1.

Pierre Gasly will indeed be the third Frenchman to hold a full-time F1 seat and the third French driver to race at least one season for Toro Rosso, after Sébastien Bourdais and Jean-Eric Vergne.

But while the arrival of the Frenchman in F1 is quite logical after his GP2 title in 2016 and his runner-up title in the Japanese Super Formula, Brendon Hartley’s was much less expected. He has therefore successfully transitioned from Porsche’s LMP1 team to Formula 1, almost ten years after being dismissed from Red Bull’s young driver program.

The New Zealander can only be delighted to have made the most of the opportunity in the last races of the season: « It’s truly incredible to be confirmed as a Formula 1 driver for the next season with Toro Rosso. It’s very satisfying to have converted a surprise opportunity into a seat in F1 for 2018. I couldn’t be happier. I would like to thank Red Bull and Toro Rosso for believing in me and giving me a second chance. Dreams do come true. »

Now that the two seats of the Italian team are confirmed, the next big unknown is Williams. If Robert Kubica seems to be in pole position to replace Felipe Massa, nothing has yet been made official. Similarly, at Sauber, Charles Leclerc should be one of the main drivers but Marcus Ericsson is still far from retaining his position.

With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr