F1 2018: Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley to drive for Toro Rosso
Gasly and Hartley retained following departures of Sainz and Kvyat
By Jonathan Green
Last Updated: 27/11/17 1:46pm
Toro Rosso have confirmed Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley will be their drivers for 2018.
The announcement leaves just Sauber and Williams to name their line-up for next season.
Gasly and Hartley had been expected to retain their seats for 2018, having been drafted into Toro Rosso following Carlos Sainz's departure to Renault and Daniil Kvyat's exit from the Red Bull driver programme.
2018 F1 driver line-ups
| Mercedes | Lewis Hamilton | Valtteri Bottas |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari | Sebastian Vettel | Kimi Raikkonen |
| Red Bull | Daniel Ricciardo | Max Verstappen |
| Force India | Sergio Perez | Esteban Ocon |
| Williams | Lance Stroll | TBC |
| McLaren | Stoffel Vandoorne | Fernando Alonso |
| Toro Rosso | Pierre Gasly | Brendon Hartley |
| Haas | Romain Grosjean | Kevin Magnussen |
| Renault | Nico Hulkenberg | Carlos Sainz |
| Sauber | TBC | TBC |
2016 GP2 champion Gasly made his debut for the Faenza-based team at the Malaysia GP, while World Endurance Championship champion Hartley made his F1 grand prix bow at the US GP.
"We're really happy to have Pierre and Brendon confirmed so early by Red Bull as our drivers for 2018," said Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost.
A proven World Champion racer and a rapid young rookie? Sounds like the perfect driver pairing to us! We canโt wait to start working with @BrendonHartley, @PierreGASLY and the whole @ToroRossoSpy team in 2018 ๐๐ช https://t.co/VJ9JZYcjfv
— Honda Racing F1 (@HondaRacingF1) November 16, 2017
"During this last part of the year they've shown that they're ready for Formula 1, getting to grips with the car quickly, showing good performances and always demonstrating to be prepared for the challenge.
"We have been truly impressed by both their steep learning curves.
"I'm sure they will keep pushing hard and fight for strong results, together with the team."
The partnership of Gasly and Hartley was the fourth different line-up Toro Rosso fielded in 2017.
Toro Rosso's driver line-up in 2017
| Australia - Singapore | Carlos Sainz | Daniil Kvyat |
|---|---|---|
| Malyasia & Japan GPs | Carlos Sainz | Pierre Gasly |
| US GP | Daniil Kvyat | Brendon Hartley |
| Mexico - Abu Dhabi | Brendon Hartley | Pierre Gasly |
Having started the season with Kvyat and Sainz, the Russian was replaced by Gasly in Malaysia and Japan.
Kvyat returned at the US GP following Sainz's early move to Renault, while Hartley was drafted in when Gasly was due to compete in the Super Formula season finale - an event which was then cancelled due to bad weather.
Gasly's return saw Kvyat dropped permanently, and his partnership with Hartley will also be the fifth different driver line-up to start a season with Toro Rosso in the past six years.
"It's very satisfying to have converted an opportunity that came as a surprise into a 2018 F1 drive, I couldn't be happier," said Hartley.
"I'd like to thank Red Bull and Toro Rosso for believing in me and giving me this second chance - dreams can come true."
Gasly added: "I'm really excited and super motivated to give it my all in Abu Dhabi and the whole of next year! I just can't wait!"
Toro Rosso's line-up at start of season
| 2013 | Daniel Ricciardo | Jean-Eric Vergne |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Daniil Kvyat | Jean-Eric Vergne |
| 2015 | Max Verstappen | Carlos Sainz |
| 2016 | Max Verstappen | Carlos Sainz |
| 2017 | Carlos Sainz | Daniil Kvyat |
| 2018 | Brendon Hartley | Pierre Gasly |
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