New Zealander Brendon Hartley has overcome mechanical problems to post the 13th fastest time in practice sessions for the Mexican Formula One Grand Prix.
Brendon Hartley chats with friend and Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo. Photo: Photosport
Hartley, who is preparing for his second Formula One race after his successful debut for Torro Rosso at Austin last weekend, managed only 10 laps in the morning practice session before mechanical issues stopped his car on the track and he was forced back to the pits.
He managed to return for the afternoon's session recording the 13th fastest time, one and a half seconds behind the leader Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo's track record time of 1min 17.8 secs.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was just 0.13 seconds back in second place with Red Bulls Max Verstappen third fastest for the day.
Hamilton, who won in Mexico last year, needs only to come fifth or higher to claim his fourth Formula One championship.
Hartley, the first New Zealander in F1 for 33 years, was initially called up for the US Grand Prix as a replacement for Pierre Gasly while the French rookie tried to win the Super Formula series in Japan.
He had last driven a Formula One car in 2010 and finished a creditable 13th.
Toro Rosso have now confirmed Hartley will compete in the the remainder of the F1 season.
He'll race in Mexico and the final two events of the year in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
-RNZ
