F1 | Hartley: “Double F1-WEC effort? I'm quite happy with how I approached it."

The management of the double Formula 1-WEC commitment put a strain on the nerves of Brendon Hartley. The 28-year-old New Zealander, in the final stages of 2017, had to bring the season to fruition Toro Rosso and, at the same time, that of Porsche in the classroom LMP1 (with which he became WEC world champion for the second time in his career), fragmenting between one part of the world and another in the space of a few weeks. An exorbitant commitment, which Hartley himself described thus: “I think probably eight or nine years ago I wouldn't have been able to deal with this: the pressure, the stress, the management of all the things. I'm quite happy with how I behaved: a couple of times I felt very tired and a little flat, but in the last three weekends, not having to deal with so many time zones, I've felt better. The team was good at not overloading me when there was no need and trying to keep things reasonably simple”.

Toro Rosso's 2018 signing was a relief, however: “Becoming a full-time Formula 1 driver, I took a huge weight off my shoulders, I am proud, optimistic and have the belief that I can do it. I'm very aware of the hard work what I have to do and the challenge that awaits us, but also enthusiastic and optimistic" – said Hartley.

Federico Martino