e72cf11e6f27b3fcbeded5b04d416321f1837b23

Hartley expecting "big support" for Toro Rosso in Japan

19:47, 03 Oct 2018

byBobby Vincent

Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley is expecting "big support" for his team as they prepare for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

It's Toro Rosso's engine suppliers, Honda's home race in Japan - the Japanese manufacturer also being a title sponsor for the event.

This will be the first time in Hartley's career that the driver gets the chance to go around the Suzuka International Racing Course.

The Kiwi driver believes that the track is one of the highlights of the Formula One calendar and thinks the first sector is where the cars will be tested the most on the track.

"Suzuka is definitely one of the highlights on the calendar and everyone in Formula 1 talks about the track, especially in the high speed sector one, where you really push these modern Formula 1 cars to their limit and I expect this sector will be the place where the current cars feel the most impressive," Hartley told The Checkered Flag.

"In the past, I've driven Suzuka on F1 simulators and I did so again last week in preparation for this race, which will be the first time I actually drive the track.

"I have raced four times in Japan, in the World Endurance Championship, but it's always been at the Fuji circuit. I had some success there, with one win and a couple of third places and I always enjoyed experiencing the passion of the Japanese fans."