Coming off the back of a career best performance in qualifying on Saturday to secure a fourth row start for the Hungarian Grand Prix, confidence was at an all-time high on Hartley’s side of the Scuderia Toro Rosso garage going into Sunday’s 70-lap race.
 
The tight Hungaroring is known as a tricky circuit to pass meaning a good start off the line would be crucial to the outcome of his race. Nailing his getaway, Brendon also had to ensure he wasn’t caught up in any of the opening lap drama and indeed a safe sequence of opening corners meant that he kept his car safe, but slipped one place behind Kevin Magnussen.
 
Keen to set off on a charge up the order, Hartley found himself locked in behind Carlos Sainz which would have a long term effect on his overall position. Opting to pit early to cover off Nico Hulkenberg’s charge, Brendon moved to the medium compound tyre which didn’t give him the performance he had hoped for to continue his charge.
 
Despite a good run over the final third of the race to close in on Romain Grosjean for P10, Hartley just ran out of time to make a move and finished the race in P11.
 
Brendon Hartley – #28 Scuderia Toro Rosso:
“I’m disappointed not to score points after a strong qualifying. I had a great start but decided not to dive up the inside of Gasly which ultimately lost me a place to Magnussen. My race was then destroyed as I was stuck behind Sainz during the first half of the race when he was on a harder tyre. We then reacted too early to Hulkenberg pitting behind and putting on the Medium tyre, which didn’t give me the best performance. I fully understand why the team split the strategies but today it didn’t work out for me. I made no mistakes, I had a good start but unfortunately no points to show for it. I’m happy for the team to score more points which is a nice reward for all the hard work over the last few months.”
 
Next Round:
Round 13 – Belgian Grand Prix, Sunday 26^th August 2018.