Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley is optimistic that he can fight for his maiden Formula 1 points at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, off the back of his second WEC title.
Hartley competed in his first two Formula 1 events in the United States and Mexico, taking 13th position on his debut, before retiring amid Renault’s litany of engine issues a week later.
Hartley will remain in the STR12 across the remainder of the campaign, and heads to Brazil having wrapped up the LMP1 crown in the WEC, his second title in three years.
“I’m very happy to be heading to Brazil with Toro Rosso,” said Hartley.
“With the help of the team I made big progress in Mexico and I’m confident that, with a little bit more luck than last time out, we can fight for points.
“I’m starting to feel at home in the F1 paddock and Sao Paulo is a track I enjoyed and know quite well from when I raced there back in 2014 for the final round of the FIA WEC Championship.
“So, all in all, I definitely look forward to my third race weekend in Formula 1 and what will be my fifth race weekend in a row.”
Team-mate Pierre Gasly is hopeful that wet weather will interfere with proceedings at Interlagos, with Toro Rosso likely to struggle if dry conditions prevail.
“The weather can be sometimes tricky and I remember many race weekends happening under rain, in terms of performance it will be better for us,” he said.
“I really like wet conditions as well, so let’s see how it will be​, I think the rain would be good for us to spice things up! If it rains, anything can happen.”
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