LMP1 experience to help Hartley in Bahrain, China

Brendon Hartley will be able to draw on his experience of racing in both Bahrain and China in the next two Formula 1 race weekends thanks to previous appearances at the circuits as part of Porsche's LMP1 line-up.

Hartley spent time in practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix learning the Albert Park circuit as he had not raced in Melbourne before, but will find himself on more familiar territory in Bahrain and China as he seeks his first F1 points for Toro Rosso.

Both the Bahrain International Circuit and Shanghai International Circuit featured on the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar between 2014 and 2017 when Hartley raced for Porsche in the LMP1 class.

"It’s definitely a positive for me to go there knowing the circuit," Hartley said. "[In Australia] I had to learn a new track, which wasn’t helped by a wet free practice three. The team obviously has raced there many times so they know well too.

"At least we will be able to hit the ground running better and not have to learn the track. It will obviously be a good advantage knowing the circuit."

Racing in Bahrain will bring back fond memories for Hartley, who clinched the first of two WEC world titles there in 2015 with Porsche.

"Bahrain is a track I have some nice memories from, it was where we clinched our first world title back in 2015 with Mark Webber and Timo Bernhard in the Porsche LMP1 team, so I’m really happy to go back there," the New Zealander said.

"I wouldn’t say it’s my strongest track on the calendar, but it’s one that I know very well. We didn’t score points in Melbourne, but there were plenty of positives from the weekend and I believe Bahrain should be a better track for us.

"My goal for this weekend stays the same: to score my first points in Formula 1."