Brendon Hartley has admitted he’s looking forward to his maiden Monaco Grand Prix this weekend almost as if it were a home race.
The Toro Rosso driver stepped into Formula 1 in the back half of the 2017 season, with this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix his first around the infamous street circuit.
While the New Zealander is keen not to lose his heritage, as a Monaco resident Hartley views the event as a home race of sorts.
“I’ve lived in Monaco for coming up for three and a half years,” he said.
“I actually live on the race circuit and can see the track from my apartment.
“Monaco is one of the highlights of the calendar and living here, there were times when I asked myself if I’d ever see the day that I’d actually get to race it again.
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“New Zealand is definitely my home but I’ve made a home for myself together with Sarah and a great group of friends in Monaco, so this week is going to feel a little bit like a home race.
“It will be nice to wake up in my own bed and have all those routines of being at home.”
Though set to make his Formula 1 debut at the venue this weekend, Hartley does have prior experience around the streets of the Principality in the junior formulae.
“I’ve raced there a couple of times before in World Series by Renault,” he recalled.
“I had a third and fourth there. I think when I was third, Daniel (Ricciardo) won the race.
“I had a pretty strong race one year coming from P8 to P4, making a few good overtakes on the way.
“I love racing on street tracks so it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Hartley currently sits 18th in the drivers’ championship with just a single point, scored in Azerbaijan, compared with the 12 points of team-mate Pierre Gasly.
The Monaco Grand Prix gets underway on Thursday with opening practice, before the traditional rest day on Friday.
VIDEO: Brendon Hartley on racing at Monaco
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