Dedicated Hartley excludes racing outside of F1 in 2018

Toro Rosso rookie Brendon Hartley says he will focus exclusively on his Formula 1 commitments this year, excluding any one-off races in any other category.

Hartley has retained his ties with Porsche, for which the Kiwi won last year's world endurance championship, but the 28-year-old's priority is to build a new career in F1.

"I will still have an association with Porsche but I won't be doing any races other than Formula 1, which I think is the sensible thing for me to do because I need to be fully focused," he told the NZ Herald.

Globetrotter Hartley's grueling schedule helped by maturity

"I am going to spend all my energy and time on being fit enough, going into the races fresh, sharp and putting every effort into making this season work.

"It is a massive opportunity that I have got there," he added.

Hartley's single-minded and exclusive approach will certainly lighten up his schedule compared to last year when he undertook a period of eight races in eight weekends spread across four continents!

"In previous years I have tried to compete in every single race I could," he admitted.

"But I have a big challenge ahead. I am very aware of that."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.