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Hartley adamant he has done enough to stay in F1

Hartley adamant he has done enough to stay in F1

01-11-2018 08:30

Brendon Hartley is certain he has done enough to keep his Toro Rosso seat into the 2019 season. The New Zealander suggests he must "stand up for himself" going into the final two races of the year. He's picked up 25 fewer points than team-mate Pierre Gasly over the course of 2018.

In Austin and Mexico, Hartley was frequently defending himself in interviews, as if he was fighting for his seat constantly. It's one of just three seats still open.

"I know that I've done a really good job these last races and I'm feeling in a really good place," Hartley told Autosport.

"I'm here now, I feel comfortable in the environment, and I'm doing a good job."

Hartley goes on to find some reasons why his points tally is significantly lower than Gasly's.

"But it hasn't always fallen my way. There have been a few races where the first lap didn't go well. Or there was contact on the first lap, and then it goes to the car in front," Hartley added.

"There were races like Austria where I was on for points, and I really had a good pace to do points, but the suspension failed."

"It just felt like I had to stand up for myself sometimes and fight for my cause, which I am doing."

With the help of some disqualifications in America, Hartley found himself inside the points for the third time this year.

Will he keep his seat at Toro Rosso, or will Red Bull's sister team look beyond him? There's plenty of drivers waiting in the wings. Let us know what you think in our poll!