5 talking points ahead of the US Grand Prix

F1 Grand Prix of USA - Practice
F1 Grand Prix of USA - Practice

3) Hartley makes his F1 debut

F1 Grand Prix of USA - Previews
Hartley getting set for his first go on the track

The Toro Rosso transactions throughout the season so far has happened countless times and looks as though the team's plan and future is all over the place.

When we learnt Sainz would leave Toro Rosso it had started to become complicated with Red Bull's sister team's driver line-up. Pierre Gasly replaced Daniil Kvyat's seat to partner with Sainz in Malaysia and Japan but had to dismiss continuing his Toro Rosso commitment in America to instead fight for the Super Formula title in the series' final race in Japan leaving an empty seat.

This became the perfect opportunity for New Zealand driver Brendon Hartley to hop in after a conversation with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko over the phone.

Hartley once was a reserve driver for Red Bull in 2009 behind the main partnership of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

Eight years on and the Le Mans 24 winner has finally been given the F1 opportunity he has been waiting for.

This weekend will be an exciting one for the 27-year-old and it could get even better as there are rumours floating around the grid of a possible stay for the 2018 season.

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Edited by Anuradha Santhanam
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