Brendon Hartley impresses in Formula 1 US Grand Prix practice

October 21, 2017

Kiwi driver Brendon Hartley completed a solid yet unspectacular first day in Formula 1, completing his first two practice sessions ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin on Monday.

Driving for Toro Rosso, Hartley clocked the 14th fastest time in the first 90 minute practice session, making the most of the wet conditions to register a time of 1:39:267, finishing behind leader Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes by 2.932 seconds.

The second practice session wasn't as successful for the Palmerston North native, clocking in at 1:37:987s, finishing in 17th place, this time 3.319s behind Hamilton.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel round out the top three after the first practice day.

It wouldn't all go Hartley's way however, with the broadcast team initially displaying an Australian flag alongside his name.

However, Hartley did incur a 30-place grid penalty, after Toro Rosso changed the Kiwi's car's power unit before the start of practice.

He will begin tomorrow's qualification from the back of the pack.

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