Formula One: Kiwi Brendon Hartley promoted to ninth at USA Grand Prix

  • 22/10/2018

Kiwi Formula One driver Brendon Hartley has completed a career best result at the USA Grand Prix in Texas after disqualifications saw him promoted to ninth.

Hartley started the race in 20th after being handed a grid penalty for making an engine change before the race. He eventually worked his way up to an 11th place finish.

But the Toro Rosso confirmed the 28-year-old will finish ninth due to Kevin Magnussen and Esteban Ocon were disqualified for breaching the race rules.

Force India's Ocon crossed the line in eighth but the stewards charged the team with exceeding the sport's fuel-flow rate on the race's opening lap.

Meanwhile, Magnussen finished ninth but his Haas car was found to have consumed more than the maximum fuel allowed.

Both drivers have the right to appeal the decision.

The ninth placed finish is Hartley's best result in Formula One after 10th placed finishes earlier this year at Azerbaijan and Germany.

Having originally finished 11th, Hartley was disappointed with his result and unleashed when he was quizzed about his future with Toro Rosso.

"Obviously having to answer questions about my future every week which is getting increasingly annoying and I've read in the media that I have to beat my team-mate [Pierre Gasley]," he told Sky Sports UK.

"I was ahead in Singapore until team orders, I was ahead in Russia until the car broke down, I was ahead in Suzuka in qualifying and I was ahead today, so let’s see what happens."

But his tone changed when he learned he had been promoted.

"Really happy with my performance and race today which was rewarded with two points," he said.

"I was aggressive when I needed to be and did a good job with tyres, the team gave me good info from the pits and the mechanics did a good pit stop - a team effort.

"From last on the grid to P9 was the max we could do today, and I'm happy with the aggression I showed and how the race went.

"Even if the points haven't come, I have been very strong in all the last races and am very motivated and optimistic for the rest of the season and beyond."

The day belonged to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen though as he earned his first race win since the Australian Grand Prix in 2013.

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