Pumped-up Hartley: 'Our goal has to be points'

©WRI2

40

Toro Rosso's impressive performance in pre-season testing has boosted the team's spirits big time, according to Brendon Hartley, and nothing less than points shall be targeted in Melbourne.

The Faenza-based squad was somewhat of an unknown quantity before winter testing kicked off in Barcelona, mainly because of the dismal track record of engine partner Honda in the last three years.

But a succession of relatively trouble-free sessions in Week 2 of testing and 498 laps on the board at the Circuit de Catalunya have undoubtedly put a positive vibe on the team, in addition to showcasing Honda's remarkable progress.

Pre-season testing: Fastest times and most laps completed

"Everyone is pumped up and positive," says Hartley, who enters his first full F1 season.

"The brief from the start of the year was that we wanted to build during the year.

"Toro Rosso had a really strong start to the year last year and there’s been a lot of changes behind the scenes as well to ensure that we can develop during the year.

"The initial brief from Toro Rosso was that Melbourne might be tough but actually after these test days we’ve exceeded our own expectations and we are definitely in the fight for those points," adds the 28-year-old and 2017 Le Mans winner.

"Our goal has to be points. It would be crazy not saying that going into Melbourne.

"It’s still hard to get a clear picture of where everyone lines up but we have to go to Melbourne with the right attitude and make the most of it and hopefully come out with my first F1 point."

Honda admitted that Honda's impressive reliability in Barcelona was a sweet revenge over the manufacture's many critics following the failure of its relationship with McLaren.

"I was asked a question if I am surprised and I’m not because when I was in the factory a month ago, everyone was really optimistic and really positive about this new partnership with Honda, and I saw how hard everyone was working," says the Kiwi.

"I had high expectations coming here and everything has delivered. The partnership has got off to a flying start."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

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.