Mark Gallagher, Formula 1 commentator, believes that Brendon Hartley will be racing his last F1 race at Abu Dhabi which is the last Grand Prix of this season.
Gallagher stated that the trajectory he believes is based on the upsetting performance behind the Toro Rosso wheel. He is reportedly believed to be replaced at Toro Rosso.
The 29-year-old Hartley is only ahead of Sergey Sirotkin on the drivers ranking for 2018. The Kiwi only managed to put four points with Sirotkin collected only one point throughout the season.
Reportedly, Toro Rosso have been on the hunt for a new driver for the new season. Gallagher is of the opinion that it will mark an end to his F1 career at the ending GP of the season.
Gallagher, while speaking to a media platform, said “I think unfortunately it will be his last race in Formula One for the foreseeable future,” Gallagher.
“I say that from picking up on a few things from talks with people connected in the paddock following the way this season has developed for him. I think it is really important to say Brendon deserved this opportunity to drive in Formula One and he has tried so hard to make the most of it.
“The facts of how the season has gone really stack against him, and that is why there is this feeling that he won’t be part of the Toro Rosso team next year.
“That is just a feeling – no one has confirmed this, but I am sure he knows his fate and I believe both him and the Red Bull management already know the answer.
“It’s only small margins so it will be a tough moment for him if he is not on the grid next season.”
Gallagher reasoned on the basis of his performance being measured against his team mate which will decide the final call by the team.
“He has been outscored by his teammate Pierre Gasly quite comprehensively,” the former Jordan F1 team member continued.
“Four points for Brendon plays 29 for Pierre, who has been promoted to the senior team next year and that is quite a huge differential in performance.
“Brendon has had some bad luck and some reliability issues but he has also had a few poor performances and everything is kind of stacked against him right now.”
