Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Breaking news

Canada crash "nothing to do" with Hartley's future - Red Bull

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko says Brendon Hartley's huge first-lap crash in the Canadian Grand Prix will have no impact on the Toro Rosso driver's Formula 1 future.

Christian Horner, Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Consultant and Brendon Hartley, Scuderia Toro Rosso

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso, arrives on the grid
Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso
Brendon Hartley, Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13
Brendon Hartley, Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13
Brendon Hartley, Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13
Brendon Hartley, Scuderia Toro Rosso

Hartley was pitched airborne and into the barriers after trying to pass Lance Stroll around the outside into the fast Turn 5 right-hander on the opening lap.

The New Zealander has been under pressure after a tricky start to his first full year in F1, with McLaren protege Lando Norris approached as a possible mid-season replacement.

Hartley's crash leaves him on one point after seven races, compared to 18 for teammate Pierre Gasly, but Marko said it would not be held against him.

"It was, I would say, a racing accident, and has nothing to do about his future," Marko told Motorsport.com. "He will be in the car."

Marko described "all the people who say they want to race for Toro Rosso, or they want to put an offer that we didn't know about" as "unbelievable stories going around".

Hartley was the quicker Toro Rosso driver through practice and said after qualifying 12th that he was keen to complete a clean weekend and fight for points.

He was taken to hospital for scans after the accident but given the all-clear on Sunday evening and said he was "ready for the next race" in France in two weeks' time.

"I'm really disappointed for Toro Rosso and Honda, because we've been quite strong all weekend with a good update from the power unit," said Hartley.

"I think we definitely had the pace to challenge for points."

Hartley insisted the pass around the outside of the fast Turn 5 was legitimate and would have been fine without an error from Stroll.

"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," said Hartley.

"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.

"It's a frustrating way to end as I've been really happy with my performance all weekend."

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Martin to race Button at British GP in Senna's first Williams
Next article How top teams adapted to Canada’s braking headache

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA