Abu Dhabi will be Hartley's last F1 race - Gallagher

Formula 1 commentator Mark Gallagher has admitted that he believes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be Brendon Hartley's last F1 race for the "foreseeable future" as the Toro Rosso driver looks set to be replaced after a disappointing season behind the wheel for Toro Rosso.

Hartley is currently second-last in the driver rankings for 2018, with only rookie driver Sergey Sirotkin having collected less points over the races so far.

Toro Rosso have reportedly been actively searching for a new driver for 2019, and it is the opinion of Gallagher that the last race of the current campaign, in Abu Dhabi, will be Hartley's last, too.

"I think unfortunately it will be his last race in Formula One for the foreseeable future," Gallagher told RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport.

"I say that from picking up on a few things from talks with people connected in the paddock following the way this season has developed for him. I think it is really important to say Brendon deserved this opportunity to drive in Formula One and he has tried so hard to make the most of it.

"The facts of how the season has gone really stack against him, and that is why there is this feeling that he won't be part of the Toro Rosso team next year.

"That is just a feeling - no one has confirmed this, but I am sure he knows his fate and I believe both him and the Red Bull management already know the answer.

"It's only small margins so it will be a tough moment for him if he is not on the grid next season."

Gallagher recognises that Hartley has suffered from bad luck this season, but thinks his performances compared to his team-mate, Pierre Gasly, is what ultimately will seal his fate.

"He has been outscored by his teammate Pierre Gasly quite comprehensively," the former Jordan F1 team member continued.

"Four points for Brendon plays 29 for Pierre, who has been promoted to the senior team next year and that is quite a huge differential in performance.

"Brendon has had some bad luck and some reliability issues but he has also had a few poor performances and everything is kind of stacked against him right now."

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