Brendon Hartley

Brendon Hartley Bio

Brendon Morris Hartley is a New Zealand racing driver who competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing. Hartley competed in Formula One from 2017 to 2018, driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso. He is one of the most accomplished endurance racing drivers of his generation, having won a joint-record four FIA World Endurance Championship titles and three editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Hartley’s career spans every major level of motorsport, from karting in New Zealand to the pinnacle of Formula One and the top tier of global endurance racing. He is known for his adaptability across single-seater and sportscar disciplines, his strong pace in long-distance races, and his ability to form highly competitive partnerships with co-drivers.

Early Life and Background

Brendon Morris Hartley was born on 10 November 1989 in Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand. Hartley was raised in a family deeply embedded in motorsport; his father, Brian, competed in a wide variety of motorsport categories including Formula Atlantic. That environment gave young Brendon an immediate and natural introduction to racing culture and the demands of competitive motorsport.

Hartley began his racing career at age six in kart racing, following in the footsteps of his older brother Nelson. That early start in karts established the technical foundation and competitive instinct that would carry him through every subsequent category. Six years later he stepped up to full-scale formula cars, making his debut in the Formula First category and finishing the season in seventh place overall.

In 2003, Hartley won the New Zealand Formula Ford Festival, a significant national achievement that earned him a full drive in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship for the following season. Driving a car previously used by his brother, Hartley started four races and won two, immediately demonstrating his potential on the national stage. His family background, early karting experience, and strong domestic results positioned him for a move to Europe.

Path to NASCAR

After a season in Formula Toyota New Zealand, Hartley relocated to Europe to pursue a career in international open-wheel racing. He competed in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup, finishing 14th in the Eurocup and 10th in the Northern European Cup. His pace improved in his second season, when he won three races in the Eurocup and captured the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship title.

Hartley made his Formula Three debut in 2007 at the Masters of Formula 3 event at Zolder, finishing fourth. That result led to a testing opportunity with A1 Team New Zealand and a role as a rookie driver in the A1 Grand Prix series. In 2008, Hartley signed with Carlin Motorsport for the British Formula 3 Championship and won five races, finishing the season in third place overall. He also competed in the Formula Three Euroseries and finished third at the Macau Grand Prix after starting 20th and recording the fastest race lap.

In 2009, Hartley remained with Carlin in the Formula Three Euroseries and also competed in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series for Tech 1 Racing. For the 2010 season, he was partnered at Tech 1 by Daniel Ricciardo, a fellow member of the Red Bull Junior Team. At the end of the 2010 season, Hartley was released from the Red Bull Junior Team due to not having won a race during his time in the championship. He made his GP2 Series debut at Monza in September 2010, scoring one point and finishing 27th in the championship.

Brendon Hartley Career

Early Career (2008–2013)

Hartley’s early professional years were defined by his affiliation with the Red Bull Junior Team and his progression through the junior open-wheel ladder. He served as an official reserve driver for both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2009 and 2010, sharing duties with Daniel Ricciardo. He became the first New Zealander to achieve Formula One driver status since Mike Thackwell in 1984. Hartley also participated in young driver tests for Mercedes, setting competitive lap times at Magny-Cours in September 2012.

With limited single-seater opportunities available in 2012, Hartley transitioned to sportscar racing, joining the Murphy Prototypes team in the LMP2 class of the European Le Mans Series. That move to sportscars proved to be the turning point in his career. He also competed in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps as a guest entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship, finishing third in the LMP2 class. The 2013 season brought further experience and a race win in both the ELMS and the Rolex Sports Car Series.

FIA World Endurance Championship Breakthrough (2014–2017)

In 2014, Porsche announced Hartley as a factory driver for its LMP1 program, assigning him to the 919 Hybrid in the FIA World Endurance Championship. This marked his entry into the premier class of global sportscar racing. He spent four seasons with Porsche, becoming one of the most successful drivers in the manufacturer’s WEC program. In 2015, Hartley won the FIA World Endurance Championship alongside Mark Webber and Timo Bernhard, finishing second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 2017, Hartley won the FIA World Endurance Championship for a second time, partnering with Timo Bernhard and Earl Bamber. That same year, he achieved one of the greatest victories of his career by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Bamber and Bernhard. The 2017 season also marked Hartley’s entry into Formula One, as he made his Grand Prix debut at the 2017 United States Grand Prix for Scuderia Toro Rosso, replacing Pierre Gasly. He was confirmed as a full-time Toro Rosso driver for the 2018 Formula One season.

Formula One Era (2017–2018)

Hartley made his Formula One debut at the 2017 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, qualifying 17th and finishing 13th, one lap down on winner Lewis Hamilton. He was retained by Toro Rosso for the remainder of the 2017 season, replacing Daniil Kvyat, and chose car number 28 as his permanent race number. For the 2018 season, Hartley was confirmed as a full-time driver alongside Pierre Gasly.

During the 2018 Formula One season, Hartley scored championship points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with tenth place, the German Grand Prix with tenth place, and his best result of ninth at the United States Grand Prix. He finished the season in 19th place in the drivers’ standings. On 26 November 2018, Toro Rosso confirmed that Hartley would not continue with the team in 2019 and was replaced by Alexander Albon. Hartley then served as a development driver for Scuderia Ferrari during the 2019 season.

Toyota Gazoo Racing Era (2019–Present)

After his Formula One career concluded, Hartley rejoined the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2019, replacing Jenson Button in the SMP Racing team for the 1000 Miles of Sebring and finishing on the podium. Weeks later, Toyota announced that Hartley would drive for Toyota Gazoo Racing for the 2019-2020 season, replacing two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso. Driving the No. 8 Toyota TS050 Hybrid alongside Kazuki Nakajima, Hartley secured a podium at Silverstone and a victory at Fuji, where he and Nakajima also claimed pole position. He won the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima.

With the introduction of the new Hypercar regulations, Hartley continued with Toyota Gazoo Racing and added two more landmark victories to his resume. He won the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Sébastien Buemi and Ryō Hirakawa, and captured the FIA World Endurance Championship title that same year. He repeated as FIA World Endurance Champion in 2023, becoming the joint-record holder with four titles alongside Sébastien Buemi.

Driving Style and Strengths

Hartley is recognized for his exceptional adaptability across racing formats, from the precision demands of Formula Three and Formula One to the sustained focus required in 24-hour endurance events. His experience as a Red Bull Junior driver and Formula One competitor gave him a high level of technical feedback skill, which he has applied to the complex hybrid LMP1 and Hypercar machinery used in the World Endurance Championship. He thrives in long-distance events where consistency, fuel management, and teamwork over multiple stints are as important as raw speed. His partnership with Sébastien Buemi at Toyota has been one of the most competitive in the Hypercar era.

Notable Races and Milestones

Hartley’s three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans represent the defining achievements of his career: his first win came in 2017 with Porsche alongside Earl Bamber and Timo Bernhard, his second came in 2020 with Toyota alongside Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, and his third came in 2022 with Toyota alongside Buemi and Ryō Hirakawa. His four FIA World Endurance Championship titles in 2015, 2017, 2022, and 2023 place him in rarefied company in endurance racing history. His best Formula One result, ninth place at the 2018 United States Grand Prix, remains his highest finish in a Formula One race.

Brendon Hartley Career Wins

Brendon Hartley has accumulated one of the most decorated records in contemporary endurance racing, highlighted by four FIA World Endurance Championship titles and three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His wins span two different manufacturers—Porsche and Toyota—and two distinct technical regulations eras, underscoring both his longevity and his skill as a driver. He also won the 2007 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship during his junior formula career.

FIA World Endurance Championship Highlights

Hartley’s four FIA World Endurance Championship titles were won across two stints: the first two came in 2015 and 2017 with Porsche, and the second two came in 2022 and 2023 with Toyota Gazoo Racing. He is tied with Sébastien Buemi for the most WEC titles in history. His Le Mans victories came in 2017, 2020, and 2022, making him one of a small group of drivers to win the race multiple times under the modern LMP1 and Hypercar eras.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans, Hartley won races in both the European Le Mans Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series during his 2013 season with Murphy Prototypes and Starworks Motorsport. He also recorded a victory at the 2017 Petit Le Mans while driving for Extreme Speed Motorsports in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. During his junior formula years, Hartley won the 2007 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship and the 2003 New Zealand Formula Ford Festival.

Brendon Hartley Career Statistics

Brendon Hartley Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Brendon Hartley was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, into a family with deep motorsport roots. His father, Brian Hartley, competed in many forms of motorsport, including Formula Atlantic, providing Brendon with early exposure to the sport. Hartley’s older brother, Nelson, was also involved in racing and directly influenced Brendon’s start, as he entered kart racing at age six following Nelson’s path. That familial motorsport environment was central to shaping Hartley’s career trajectory from childhood.

Personal Life

Hartley lives in Monaco and is married to Sarah Wilson. The couple became engaged in July 2016 and were married in January 2018, having been together for approximately twelve years prior to their wedding. Outside of racing, Hartley enjoys mountain biking and road cycling. He also plays the guitar in his free time.

2025 Season Performance

Brendon Hartley enters the 2025 season as one of the most accomplished drivers in the FIA World Endurance Championship, having won back-to-back world titles in 2022 and 2023 with Toyota Gazoo Racing. He remains one of the key figures in Toyota’s Hypercar program, driving the No. 8 Toyota alongside Sébastien Buemi. The 2025 campaign represents an opportunity for Hartley to extend his record as the joint-all-time leader in FIA World Endurance Championship titles and add to his three career victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing Hypercar program enters the 2025 season with Hartley as an experienced and proven championship-caliber driver, having adapted successfully to every technical regulation change the WEC has introduced since joining Toyota. His experience across LMP1 and Hypercar eras, combined with his Formula One background and consistent performance with the No. 8 entry, positions him as a central figure in Toyota’s continued pursuit of manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships.