Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley has again brushed off reports his future at the team is in the balance, ahead of the Canadian GP.
Earlier this week, McLaren revealed they had rejected an approach by Red Bull offering to take their young reserve driver Lando Norris for the rest of the season at the junior team.
The F2 racer was the latest in a number of names linked, including Pascal Wehrlein and Robert Kubica, however, the New Zealander, who has only a single point to his name this season compared to 18 for teammate Pierre Gasly, insists the situation is in his favour.
“It’s the second Grand Prix in a row I’ve been responding to the rumours, but it’s not really interesting for me to comment,” Hartley said in Montreal on Thursday.
“I know what my contract says, I’m very confident in the work I’ve been doing for Toro Rosso behind the scenes to develop the car.”
The former WEC world champion also remains confident in his own performance even if the results haven’t shown it.
“I know I have the ability to be here and doing a good job in Formula 1,” he claimed. “I don’t have the points on the board, but I know it’s possible. I think it’s silly for me to comment on rumours, as that’s all they are.”
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Also under pressure is McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne as the Belgian struggles to remain on an even level with teammate Fernando Alonso.
“In reality, we are very, very closely matched,” was his defence to reporters. “In terms of where I was last year, I feel in a much better position this year and I think things have not always gone my way.
“We’ve lacked a bit of luck in some of the occasions and, you know, on some occasions Fernando was just quicker as well, which is normal.
“But we’re heading in the right direction. The team is moving forward and obviously we have had a tough start to the season with a lot of expectation on us and we’ve not managed to perform as expected.”
