Four days after announcing that Alexander Albon will partner Daniil Kvyat in 2019, Toro Rosso has thanked Brendon Hartley for his efforts with the team.

The statement reads as follows:

Following the recent announcement that Alexander Albon will join Scuderia Toro Rosso to race alongside Daniil Kvyat in 2019, we would like to thank Brendon Hartley for his campaign with the team.

After a hugely successful sports car career, Brendon returned to Red Bull’s F1 family, making his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso at the 2017 United States Grand Prix.

Brendon has played an important role in the development of our partnership with Honda and his experience and feedback has proved highly beneficial. We wish Brendon all the best for the future.

Scuderia Toro Rosso Team Principal, Franz Tost, said: "We would like to thank Brendon for his hard work with the team. It was not an easy task to move from sports cars to Formula 1, especially at short notice. His consistency over the final four races of 2017 earned him a 2018 race seat and, while ultimately we were not able to continue into 2019, he has been a key part of the team and aided the development of the Honda powertrain. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

The release comes in the wake of a statement from Honda's bosses in tribute to Hartley, which came just 24 hours after Albon's confirmation, and a response from the New Zealander which thanked "almost all of the 500 strong Toro Rosso staff".

In the eyes of many, Hartley, who was brought in to replace Kvyat after the Russian had been dumped by the team for the second time, was not given a fair crack of the whip by the Faenza outfit; used as a guinea pig in respect of Honda's switch to Honda power units in 2019, and in deference to teammate Pierre Gasly who was marked out for bigger things.

Certainly, the kiwi will have every right to see this 'gesture' as too little, too late.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by george, 03/12/2018 11:14

"who is Hartley ? "

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2. Posted by Elf Team Tyrrell, 30/11/2018 11:52

"Maybe Red Bull just don’t like Aussie’s and Kiwi’s..... after all they can’t get their tongues far enough up Verstappens @rse and it was pretty much the same with Vettel. "

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 30/11/2018 10:27

"The brutal reality must be that Brendon doesn't fit into Red Bull's marketing strategy, didn't bring the bunce, or is simply incompatible with Marko, or one of his minions.

I'm sure I'm not alone in noticing that Kvyat, booted unceremoniously for being 'too slow' is back, bringing, no doubt, loadsamoney....
"

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4. Posted by imejl99, 30/11/2018 7:58

"Toro`s "thank you" appears forced by Honda`s. Honda went quite the distance in Hartley praise. Being fairly aware of Japanese culture, the tone and timing of Honda`s "thank you" could well be the message to the Red Bull - you picked the wrong one to partner Max, at least regarding feedback and development.
"

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5. Posted by Ro, 30/11/2018 0:30

"Hartley is a talent gone to waste, used and abused. SHame to see him leave F1. He deserved better"

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6. Posted by Batman, 29/11/2018 22:51

"I rate this statement from Franz Tost as ... fake news! :P"

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7. Posted by *TestaRossa*, 29/11/2018 19:04

"Don't get sentimental boys , i didn't read anything about Ferrari thanking their last champion , dumped twice and even ordered to play wingman.
Was Ocon thanked or Erikson?
F1 is not fair , life is not fair . Don't cry please.!!!!!!"

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8. Posted by ESTM PRFT, 29/11/2018 18:56

"Toro Rosso: "And we belatedly thank you by awarding you the well-worn Marko Golden Boot""

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9. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 29/11/2018 18:24

"They were shamed into making that statement by Honda's classy message of appreciation. But then, given that the overall direction of racing within the Red Bull group ("family" is definitely not an appropriate term) is controlled by Marko, it's hardly surprising. It will be interesting to see, next season how both teams progress with the possibly explosive combinations of drivers in each."

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10. Posted by klmn, 29/11/2018 17:02

"I think Brendon does understand better than his fans that with about 50% of Red Bull in the hands of Thai owners the seat goes to a driver with Thai roots."

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Toro Rosso thanks Hartley

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