Formula One news

Racing takes priority for Hartley

Brendon Hartley has insisted that time spent racing is more vital to his career at this point that testing. Having been Red Bull reserve driver and present at Grand Prix weekends, the New Zealander has explained that a tight schedule was proving too much when it comes to advancing his career.

Jaime Alguersuari takes over the role of Red Bull reserve driver

With an in-season testing ban in Formula One and Kiwi Hartley feeling that his racing in the F3 Euroseries and Formula Renault 3.5 championship should take priority over being on standby at Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso, the 19-year-old explained his predicament.

"That's the reason we decided to stop," he confirmed to Autosport. "I learnt so much doing it and it was such a great experience for me, to see how everything works, but to continue would have meant zero weekends free until November; I really appreciated doing it but I haven't really had a good result this year so I need to focus on my racing."

The news of Harley's departure last Wednesday came with the information that 2008 British F3 Champion Jaime Alguersuari will fill the breach. "Jaime will have that opportunity to learn now but I am not sure what options there will be for him to get into the car," Hartley added.

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