Hartley tested new Toro Rosso car in Italy

Hartley was drafted in for the shakedown of Toro Rosso's new STR3 at Vairano in Italy, prior to the car's first proper run at Barcelona in Spain later this month.

Toro Rosso's co-owner Gerhard Berger told autosport.com that the team would happily call up Hartley again if there was a reason to use him.

"Our other two drivers were not available last week, so as he (Brendon) is part of the Red Bull family we decided to put him in the car," said Berger.

"If there is a possibility to test him again, then yes we will. But there are no real test plans at the moment."

Hartley was quoted as saying on his own official website that he was delighted with the opportunity to test.

"There's been a lot happening in the last few weeks that I haven't been able to speak about," said the New Zealander. "The Formula One testing with Toro Rosso was a confidential development session for a car that is yet to be publicly launched.

"What I can share is that it was a privilege to be invited to drive the new car for the first time. The sensations and the performance were incredible. The levels of grip and acceleration were simply amazing."