Hartley feeling 'emotional' after best qualifying result

  • Published on 06 Oct 2018 11:24
  • comments 3
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Brendon Hartley admitted that he was feeling emotional as he made his way back to the pitlane following his stand out performance during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. The Kiwi will share the third row of the grid with Romain Grosjean on Sunday after bagging sixth place.

The 28-year-old has had a tough season so far, finishing inside the points on just two occasions. The future of the former World Endurance Championship driver is in doubt as he has been outperformed all season by Red Bull-bound teammate Pierre Gasly.

It was the first time since Canada that Hartley managed to get the better of Gasly in qualifying. And he says that the result feels good following "a build up of crap" in the previous months.

"Honestly, that felt awesome," he said. "It was quite emotional on the in lap, which is not something that normally happens to me. But it was just all the build-up of crap over the last six months and knowing that I’ve got better and better, but haven’t always had the chance to show it or things haven’t gone my way, strategy in races haven’t been in my favour if I’ve been the tailing car, or missing out in qualifying to Pierre.

"Today felt good. Obviously it’s only half the job, but I’m going to try and enjoy it for a small moment. There’s been a build-up of frustration over the last few months as I’ve got better and better, and I have been strong. There’s things that have happened behind the scenes that I could always talk about or reasons that things haven’t gone my way. Today it came together. I’m very happy."

With pressure mounting over his seat for next year, Hartley says he is not treating the qualifying result or the upcoming race as a chance to save his seat. Instead, he is aiming to simply deliver the best he can for Toro Rosso.

"I think tomorrow I need to deliver and score some points, obviously what’s controllable from my side," Hartley said. "I feel in a good place, and like I’ve been saying for the last months, I feel like I’m getting stronger and stronger, and there has been a frustration that things haven’t come together in the way I felt they maybe deserved to. But today feels good.

"I’m not thinking about next year, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m just maintaining the stance of focusing on the job right now. The next thing on my mind is getting a great start tomorrow lunchtime."

And what a place to do it, with a Honda engine on Honda's home ground! Well done putting 1/2 buttocks on that 2019 seat Brendon!

  • 2
  • Oct 6 2018 - 13:34

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • He's been performing very well so far this weeked. Best of luck for tomorrow.

    • + 0
    • Oct 6 2018 - 13:27
  • And what a place to do it, with a Honda engine on Honda's home ground! Well done putting 1/2 buttocks on that 2019 seat Brendon!

    • + 2
    • Oct 6 2018 - 13:34
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Now being it home Brandon!!!!!!

    • + 0
    • Oct 6 2018 - 16:54

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country FR
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (37)
  • Place of b. Geneve, FR
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile
show sidebar