10 drivers on Toro Rosso 'long list' for 2019

Dr Helmut Marko says he is putting together a "long list" of potential Toro Rosso drivers for 2019.

Pierre Gasly is being promoted to Red Bull Racing, while Brendon Hartley has underperformed this year.

"There needs to be a significant increase (from Hartley) in the last races this season," Marko told Speed Week.

He said Hartley will not be ousted within 2018, but it means Toro Rosso could have not one but two free seats for 2019.

The candidates are lining up. Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum is struggling to secure the necessary super license, while McLaren says the axed Stoffel Vandoorne should be considered.

Also mentioned as a candidate by Christian Horner is former Red Bull and Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat, while rumours have linked Jean-Eric Vergne and even Robert Kubica and others with the seat.

"There is no shortlist, it's more like a long-list," Marko smiled. "There are ten names on it."

But he seemed to rule out Esteban Ocon, noting that one driver "with a Mercedes contract" will "probably not" be considered.

"However, everything is possible," said Marko.

About the author

Leopold

Leopold Pleijsier founded F1-Fansite.com in 2001 and has followed Formula 1 since the early 1980s. He writes about daily F1 news, race weekends, drivers and the sport’s history.

Related topics