Following an impressive Formula 1 Grand Prix debut at the United States Grand Prix in Austin – Texas, Brendon Hartley was retained for this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix and keen to use his valuable experience from last week to good effect during his second outing for the Red Bull backed team.
 
Following engine issues in Free Practice One, the second and third sessions of the weekend showed just how far the Kiwi driver has come in only a short space of time. Finishing in 13^th and 11^th respectively, confidence was on a high going into Saturday afternoon’s qualifying one.
 
Having come so close to Q2 qualification in Austin, Hartley was keen to put that right this time around. With the 14^th fastest time, he was through to the final fifteen and clearly had more to offer in the next part of the session. As he prepared to begin his Q2 flying lap, an engine issue came from nowhere sending him into instant retirement from the session.
 
Brendon Hartley – #28 Scuderia Toro Rosso:
“Today was a little bit frustrating! I’m a bit disappointed as I didn’t get to put everything on the line and I think we had a chance to be fairly up the pack; to be ahead of the Williams was definitely on the cards today. Braking into Turn 1 in Q2 I felt like it was spot on and I was pumped up for the lap, when the engine went bang… I don’t know what happened! My confidence has been building all the time, lap after lap, and I was really looking forward to Q2 to really give it a crack. I’m feeling better and better in the car and, if Austin was a tough ask, I’ve come here a lot more prepared… that’s for sure. Mexico’s a track I really enjoy and I will give it all tomorrow to have the best possible race!”