Toro Rosso's Brendon Hartley says he is targeting a points finish in the Spanish Grand Prix despite starting from the back after he missed qualifying on Saturday following a huge final practice crash.
The New Zealander lost the rear at Turn 4 and ended up hitting the tyre wall with the rear of his STR13 at high-speed. The impact tore the rear of the car off and likely caused damage to the Honda power unit.
Honda will install a replacement power unit into Hartley's car for Sunday's race as it assesses the damage, but the remains confident that a new chassis will not be rqequired.
"A bit of muscle soreness. No concussion. But I can feel [pain] all through the traps and the neck," he said.
"I don’t know how many Gs I pulled, but you feel it a bit. I’ll feel it tomorrow, but I’m sure I’ll be fit enough to drive the race.
"From what I understand, there’s no damage on the chassis. These modern Formula 1 cars, between Friday and Saturday, it would be stripped down to a similar level and new bits going on. So I think the team is more than capable of getting the car ready.
"Normally on a Saturday you don’t plan to do this for a Sunday. I believe all the parts are available. I don’t know what new parts we have to introduce to the pool and what knock-on effects that has. From what I understand there’s no chassis damage, which is the most important thing for them getting the car fixed for tomorrow."
Last year Daniil Kvyat started from last place and went on to finish ninth and Hartley is hoping to repeat that.
"I know everyone is working very hard to get the car out for tomorrow, which I’m confident it will be, and that I’ll be ready and won’t think about the crash too much, and focus on moving forward in the race.
"I know Toro Rosso started from last place on the grid last year, and they managed to score a point. It’s not unachievable, but obviously it wasn’t the day I was after. To not have a chance to fight in qualifying was disappointing."
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