Brendon Hartley: I want to prove I belong in F1

Brendon Hartley has admitted that he is extremely eager to prove to everyone that he belongs in Formula One and deserves a competing seat, but did insist that the hard work is only just beginning as he aims to impress for Toro Rosso in 2018.

This upcoming campaign will be Hartley's first full season in F1 having been recruited to replace Renault-bound Carlos Sainz for the last four races for Toro Rosso.

He wants to prove he deserves to be in F1, even if his debut last year came as an eleventh-hour surprise.

"Of course, becoming an F1 driver was a dream come true but now I want to prove I belong here," Hartley said.

"That will take even more hard work and dedication and support from the ones around me.

"It all happened very quickly with little or no time to prepare. On the other hand I felt like I had been preparing for that all my life. I took a decision to keep it simple, not over think it and make sure I enjoy it."

Hartley is certainly not a novice in motor racing and has two World Endurance Championship titles as well as a Le Mans victory to his name, and he has cited his time with Porsche in the WEC as a good reference point for competing in F1.

"Representing Porsche at Le Mans came with huge pressure, and I was lucky enough to work along side some of the best drivers and engineers you can find, and in my eyes this experience has prepared me well," he continued.

At 28-years-old, Hartley is around his peak fitness and has insisted he will need to be to cope with the demands of getting behind the wheel, especially in the likes of Singapore where temperatues in night races can reach 55 degrees in the cockpit.

"I'm fitter than I ever have been, but there is no hiding the fact that modern F1 cars put brutal demands on the body," the New Zealand native said.

"Yes, the humid streets of Singapore will possibly be the biggest test. Some heat training in the lead up to the race will be crucial."