Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley says he is “stronger and hungrier than ever” to prove his worth in Formula 1 after another setback at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Hartley, contesting his first full campaign, has scored just a single point, and endured a string of difficult events, crashing heavily during practice in Spain before being taken out by Charles Leclerc in Monaco.
Rumours circulated during the break between Grands Prix in Monaco and Canada that Toro Rosso was seeking a replacement, with McLaren young gun Lando Norris a contender for Hartley’s seat.
Hartley responded by qualifying in 12th place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve but was caught up in a violent first lap collision with Williams rival Lance Stroll.
Hartley’s car was pinned between the barriers and Stroll’s Williams through Turn 5, briefly going airborne, with the contact eliminating the New Zealander from the race.
Hartley was able to walk away from the clash, which was deemed a racing incident by stewards, but was taken to the medical centre and a nearby hospital as a precaution, with tests giving the Toro Rosso driver the all-clear.
“I’m all ok,” he posed on social media. “Yes I have been a bit unlucky recently, yes there has been a bit of noise in the background, but I feel strong, hungrier than ever, and I have full confidence in myself and the team of people around me.
“I will continue working hard to make my own luck at the next race. Lastly and maybe most importantly, I’m still smiling.”
Speaking about the collision, Hartley said: “I had a good start, similar to the drivers around me, but I got left a bit on the outside of Turn 2 which lost me a position.
“I got a good run on Lance out of Turn 4 on the outside, but he lost the car which put us both into the wall.
“It’s very disappointing as there was room to make the overtake, and I was looking forward to a strong race.”
Toro Rosso team-mate Pierre Gasly rose from 19th on the grid to classify in 11th position.
