Hartley told he will be replaced in 2019

Brendon Hartley has reportedly been informed that he will not be driving for the Toro Rosso team in 2019. The Kiwi had been on the brink of a drive in F1 for some time after a difficult 2018 season however over the course of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, was told he was out of the picture for next year.

According to Bild newspaper, Hartley was rumoured to have a sit-down talk with head of the Red Bull driver development programme Dr Helmut Marko and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, with an announcement due to take place during the Mexico Grand Prix weekend.

However, a delay to that announcement occurred due to the talk. Current rumours suggest it will be Anglo-Thai driver Alexander Albon filling the vacant seat alongside a returning Daniil Kvyat.

Hartley told media over the weekend that he felt he had made a strong case in recent races for his claim to the Toro Rosso seat though outright avoided questions directly relating to his future.

"I feel like I have gotten stronger through the season. I showed it in Austin even if the press release said there was something wrong with the other car," he said.

When asked about whether he knew who would be replacing Pierre Gasly at the team for next season, he looked to avoid the conversation entirely with a blunt: "No comment".