Red Bull have confirmed to GPUpdate.net that New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley is no longer a test and reserve driver of the company’s two Formula 1 teams, leaving the role to Australian Daniel Ricciardo only. With current British Formula 3 Championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne being promoted to the World Series by Renault as a replacement at Tech 1 Racing, no specific reason has been given for Hartley’s departure.
‘The 20-year-old French driver will take on this new role in addition to his existing commitments in the British Formula 3 Championship,’ reads an official statement.
‘The move comes following Red Bull Junior Team’s decision to release Brendon Hartley, after four seasons with the programme.’
Source: GP Update
