F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Hartley studies 50-page 'How to drive a Toro Rosso' manual!

With such a short time before his F1 baptism of fire in Austin, Brendon Hartleyis doing his best to get up to speed with his new Toro Rosso mount.

Sophisticated racings cars are nothing new for the Porsche works driver, but an F1 drive stills needs a good amount of knowledge and preparation.

"I’ve just been handed the driver manual which is about 50 pages long," Hartley told Newstalk ZB.

"I’ve got to learn all the procedures of the car, the steering wheel. I have four hours of testing before qualifying and I’d like to think that will be enough to get up to speed."

The 27-year-old had the opportunity to virtually sample the team's 2017 STR12 in the Faenza-based outfit's simulator.

But he'll also rely on his vast WEC skills and expertise with Porsche to get on top of things as quickly as possible.

"In terms of pure lap time, it’s not that much [different]," he said.

"It’s seven or eight seconds per lap. It’s not that much, especially on race pace. The cars I’ve been driving are extremely quick.

"I guess it’s partly the reason why they’ve looked to put me in the car, and also the fact the cars are so technologically advanced, hybrid technology, all that stuff. That’s similar.

"It is going to be a big step," he added.

"It’s been six or seven years since I sat in a single-seater.

"But I try to take a simple view of it: It’s a race car, it’s got four wheels, the physics behind what a driver has to do to go quickly around a racing circuit doesn’t change too much."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

5 mins ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

1 hour ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

3 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

3 hours ago

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

4 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

5 hours ago