Toro Rosso F1 driver Brendon Hartley is excited ahead of the 2018 Formula One season that gets underway in Melbourne on 25 March. With the unveiling of the new Honda Powered 2018 car, Hartley is focused on the task ahead.
“I’m looking forward to a lot of new challenges and I’m particularly excited about the first event,” commented Hartley. “Australia isn’t a home race for me, but when I was back in New Zealand, every second or third person I met told me they were coming to watch in Melbourne. So I’m hoping to see a lot of New Zealand flags there. Generally, I’m looking forward to the whole season as this is something I’ve dreamed about my whole life.”
As McLaren has been faced with integrating their new Renault power plants with the chassis, so have Toro Rosso having switched from Renault to Honda.
“What is very clear from all of the meetings we’ve had so far is they (Honda) are working very hard. I have to say there’s a lot of positive energy around the factory about this partnership with Honda and it is a huge opportunity for our team. I’m also really looking forward to meeting Honda’s sushi chef!”
Hartley is the ninth Kiwi F1 driver to race in F1 and very proud of the fact.
“There’s a huge history of motor sport in New Zealand and the reaction back home since I’ve been in F1 and even before that in LMP1 has been incredible. I get huge support. There are a lot of New Zealand drivers competing at the moment at a very high level and it’s been referred to as something of a golden era for New Zealand motorsport. I am aware of our history in the sport and I’m very proud to be flying the flag once again.”
Toro Rosso opted for a low-key unveiling just before the first F1 test session of the 2018 season at the Circuit de Catalunya, outside Barcelona, Spain.
The Toro Rosso STR13 retains the deep blue it brandished in 2016, with red stripes and a silver bull emblazoned on the airbox.
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