Hartley, Wehrlein join Ferrari F1 simulator team

Recent Formula 1 racers Brendon Hartley and Pascal Wehrlein have both taken up roles as part of Ferrari's simulator team for the 2019 season.

Two-time FIA World Endurance Championship winner Hartley raced for Toro Rosso in F1 through the final four races of 2017 and the entirety of last year before being dropped for 2019.

The New Zealander was confirmed to be remaining as part of Porsche's factory driver programme this year, but will now add a Ferrari simulator role to his commitments.

Wehrlein has been linked with a Ferrari role for a number of weeks following his exit from Mercedes at the end of last year. The German spent two years in F1 with Manor and Sauber, and is now racing in Formula E with Mahindra.

The duo will work in the simulator team alongside Antonio Fuoco, a former member of Ferrari's driver academy, and Davide Rigon, who races for the Ferrari factory AF Corse team in the WEC.

"Our team has taken on four undoubtedly talented drivers, who possess innate feeling, with a strong understanding of race cars and tracks," Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said.

"These are exactly the qualities required in the skilful role of driving in a simulator, one of the vital pieces of equipment in the Formula 1 of today."