Toro Rosso can revise F1 2018 targets after 'flying start' in testing

Brendon Hartley says Toro Rosso can revise its targets for the Formula 1 season opener in Australia after pre-season testing exceeded the team's expectations

The Honda-powered squad enjoyed a largely trouble-free winter, completing the third most laps of any team behind Mercedes and Ferrari across Barcelona pre-season testing.

Hartley completed Friday's final day of running with the seventh-fastest time, although team-mate Pierre Gasly put Toro Rosso third on Thursday.

"The initial brief was that Melbourne might be tough, but actually after these test days we've exceeded our own expectations and we're definitely in the fight for those points," said Hartley.

Gary Anderson ranks the teams after F1 testing

"We think we're somewhere in the fight. It's a really tough midfield battle, but it was a really positive start.

"The goal has to be points. It would be crazy not saying that going to Melbourne.

"Haas, Renault, McLaren are all looking very strong as well. But we are in there somewhere."

Asked if he felt the reliability of the Honda engines in testing meant the Japanese firm had silenced its doubters, Hartley replied: "I would have thought so.

"When I went to the factory a month ago, everyone was really optimistic and positive about this new partnership with Honda.

"I saw how hard everyone was working, so I had high expectations coming here and they've delivered. The partnership is off to a flying start."

shares
comments

Robert Kubica F1 reserve role giving him new perspective at Williams

How Nigel Mansell outfoxed Nelson Piquet in classic 1987 British GP

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jonathan Noble

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out

Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
British GP
GP Racing

Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out

How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation

How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
GP Racing

How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation

Subscribe