The Formula 1 dream has become a reality for Kiwi Brendon Hartley after Toro Rosso confirmed he'd be taking the wheel for them at the US Grand Prix next weekend.
The Red Bull-owned team announced that Hartley will take the place of Pierre Gasly for next weekend's race in Austin while the Frenchman takes a brief break to compete in the Super Formula Championship in Japan.
Toro Rosso Team Prinipal Franz Tost has indicated that he's looking to use the American leg of the F1 Championship as an opportunity to evaluate new drivers to join the team for next season.
With under-perfoming Russian driver Daniil Kvyat on thin ice, a strong showing could see the 27-year-old earn himself a drive for the remaining four races of the year, with the potential to win a full-time gig for 2018.
It will be the first time a New Zealander has competed in a Formula 1 Grand Prix since Mike Thackwell in 1984.
"What an amazing feeling! This opportunity came as somewhat of a surprise, but I never did give up on my ambition and childhood dream to reach F1," Hartley said on the team website.
"I have grown and learnt so much since the days when I was the Red Bull and Toro Rosso reserve driver, and the tough years I went through made me stronger and even more determined.
"I'm trying not to put too many expectations on my F1 debut, but I feel ready for it."
The Palmerston North-product is familiar with Red Bull Racing, completing one test for them in 2008 before being made an official reserve driver for Red Bull and Toro Rosso in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
He was released form their young driver programme in July 2010, going on to unsuccessfully trial for the Mercedes two years later before finding a home in endurance racing.
The news caps a fantastic 12 months for Hartley after his win at the renowned 24-hour Le Mans race for Porsche in June, and he currently leads the FIA World Endurance Championship, looking to add to the title he won in 2015.
Tost is confident the Kiwi has what it takes to shine in the world's premier motorsport class.
"We are really happy to have him back in our team. With all the racing experience accumulated over the years, we are convinced that he will do a fantastic job for us."
Hartley will be the second driver to debut with the Italy-based team this season after Gasly was drafted in for the Malaysian and Japanese Grands Prix in place of Kvyat.
Kvyat will be back for Austin because Spaniard Carlos Sainz moved to Renault after last weekend's race in Japan.
The US Grand Prix gets underway with the first practice session on Friday October 20 with qualifying beginning Sunday October 22 at 7am, and the race itself on the morning of October Monday 23 (all times NZT).
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