Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley completed his maiden visit to Azerbaijan by securing his first Formula 1 World Championship point, finishing the race in a superb 10^th overall.
 
Starting round four of the 2018 Formula 1 World Championship in Baku from the back of the grid, Hartley was keen to make amends following a disappointing run in qualifying. The action packed race included two lengthy Safety Car periods, playing nicely into the hands of the Kiwi as he carefully worked his way up the order and avoided any of the ensuing drama.
 
Closing rapidly on a top 10 finish, the final four racing laps after the Safety Car returned to the pits were crucial for the New Zealander. With three laps to go, Brendon was now up from 12th to 10th, a position he would maintain to the chequered flag.
 
Brendon Hartley – #28 Scuderia Toro Rosso:
“That was an interesting race! From my point of view, I kept it clean but we didn’t really have the pace today to challenge in the midfield. In the areas we needed to overtake we just couldn’t get close enough. There was a lot of drama around me, but I managed to keep my nose clean and take home my first World Championship point in F1, which is great! It was important for me to get to the end of the race today – especially after yesterday! I think at times during the race the pace was OK, but on the Ultrasoft tyre at the end I didn’t feel like I could challenge the cars in front. I would have loved to attack a bit more but let’s be happy with a point on the board. I’ll take this momentum into the next race!”
 
Next Round:
Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona – Sunday 13^th May 2018.