Formula One team Toro Rosso are expected to confirm New Zealander Brendon Hartley as a full-time driver for 2018, with an announcement imminent.
Brendon HARTLEY, NZL, Team Scuderia Toro Rosso Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hartley will join Frenchman Pierre Gasly as the team's two drivers.
Hartley made his F1 debut with the team at last month's United States Grand Prix.
Frenchman Gasly joined the Faenza-based squad for the Malaysian Grand Prix, replacing Daniil Kvyat.
While it has been clear for some time that Toro Rosso will retain its current driver pairing following the departure of Carlos Sainz to Renault and the ejection of Kvyat from the Red Bull programme, there's been no formal announcement.
Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko indicated after the Brazilian Grand Prix that one might not be far away.
"Maybe Toro Rosso makes a press release with some substantial news," Marko told Motorsport.com.
Asked if that meant soon after Brazil, he added: "I guess so. I don't know, we'll have to see. We have other problems at the moment."
Team boss Franz Tost said Gasly and Hartley have proved to be "strong assets" for the Italian team, but added that the timing of any confirmation is out of his hands.
"This is in the hands of Red Bull to decide," Tost told Motorsport.com. "Both drivers are strong assets to the team, and therefore I don't see any others going in the car for next year.
"But once more it's a decision of Red Bull, and they will announce this."
