Motorsport: Brendon Hartley, Formula 1 driver abandoned by the Kiwis, crushes the Toro Rosso team

Kiwi Formula One driver Brendon Hartley takes a close look at social media after his cruel exit from the Toro Rosso team. Yet his former employer did not officially recognize his contribution – or even his ax.

Hartley was fired Tuesday by his team when Toro Rosso announced that Alexander Albon, who had finished third in Formula 2 this year, would be the new driver who would team up with Daniil Kvyat for the 2019 season.

With his teammate Hartley in 2018, Pierre Gasly, promoted to the Red Bull Formula One team, the winner of Le Mans and the World Endurance Champion would have a chance to play for a second full season.

But after finishing the season in 19th place in the drivers standings, out of 20 drivers with just four points and a ninth place in the US Grand Prix, his best of the season, the 29-year-old's departure was not huge. surprise.

"I left the circuit on Sunday with my head up," Hartley commented on Twitter.

"I am very proud of my story and my journey up here, but I am confident that I have an unfinished business in F1." At the moment, this has been put on hold. the top gear and I firmly believe that it also allows me to count on a great support team, family, friends and woman in New Zealand.

"I would also like to thank my coach Rich and almost all 500 Toro Rosso employees with whom I have had the pleasure of working this season, as well as all members of the team. engineering, mechanics, marketing, public relations, logistics, factory staff and courses at Honda Racing.

"I really appreciate the support I've received from fans around the world this year, I still have a lot of pages to write in my story and I'll make the most of this opportunity in the world." next chapter. "

Toro Rosso's behavior at Hartley's start seems tied with the team's performance in Formula 1 this season. No mention was made of the release of the Kiwi on the official website of Toro Rosso, his profile was quickly removed.

However, Masahasi Yamamoto, the boss of Honda Motorsports, praised Hartley's time with the team.

"On behalf of Honda, I would like to express my thanks to Brendon for all his hard work this year," said Honda Yamamoto.

"Brendon is still a friendly and charming person who immediately embraced Japanese culture and Honda's way of life, which gave everyone of Honda such power and confidence in what we were doing this year after several difficult seasons.

"I particularly remember his sixth place in our home race at Suzuka, which meant a lot to Honda.

"We will miss him and wish him the best for the future."

According to motor racing journalist Bob McMurray, Hartley's performances were simply not enough and the only Kiwi driver to stay in Formula One was to be a test driver.

"All places are occupied for the coming season, every place is actually defended, so there will be no place in Formula One," McMurray said. Radio Sport.

"The best he could hope for, is to play the role of test driver in a team as a third driver.

"He could have done better, it's as simple as that – I'm not on Brendon, I think he's a fantastic driver, but he could have just beaten Gasly."

"So that ends his career with Torro Rosso and Red Bull, probably with Formula One … maybe it's time for Brendon to start exploring new pastures."

Hartley made his Formula 1 debut last season at the US Grand Prix, replacing Gasly before becoming a full-time replacement for Kvyat.

He scored his first point in Formula 1 at the Azerbaijani Grand Prix in April with a 10th place. Hartley qualified penultimate, but went into the top 10 when seven riders failed to finish the race. The last time a New Zealander driver earned a point in Formula 1 was Chris Amon at the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix.

Hartley then finished 10th at the German Grand Prix in July and a ninth in his career in Austin. He had five scraps on 21 races this year, including one scary at the Canadian Grand Prix when he collided with Williams-Mercedes driver Lance Stroll and was pushed into a wall in the first round.

It seems unlikely that Hartley finds motivation for another Formula One team next season. All the cockpits are occupied except one with Lance Stroll who should be announced as the second pilot of Force India alongside Sergio Perez.