Exiled Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley has vowed he has 'unfinished business' in Formula 1 after being dropped by the Italian team for the 2019 season.
It was announced on Monday that former Red Bull junior and Formula 2 star Alexander Albon would be assuming the seat for 2019, leaving Hartley out in the cold.
The double-World Endurance Champion arrived into the Toro Rosso team for the 2017 United States Grand Prix in place of Pierre Gasly who was in Japan for the Super Formula finale and has since spent the previous 25 races with the team.
His stay with STR had been in question after team-mate Pierre Gasly had been promoted to the senior Red Bull team for 2019, a consequence of Daniel Ricciardo's departure to Renault.
In a statement released on social media, Hartley outlined that he was proud of his efforts in the series and felt tougher thanks to his experience and was looking towards a new challenge in the future.
"I left the circuit on Sunday with my head held high," said Hartley. "I’m very proud of my story and journey so far but am left feeling I have unfinished business in F1. For the moment that has been put on hold.
"I’ve hit speed bumps before and I am a strong believer that tough situations make you stronger, it also helps that I have a great NZ support crew, family, friends and wife.
"I also want to thank my trainer Rich and almost all of the 500 strong Toro Rosso staff who I have stood beside and have enjoyed working with this season, all of the engineering team, the mechanics, marketing, PR, logistics, hospitality crew, factory staff and of course all at Honda Racing.
"I really do appreciate the support I have received from fans across the globe this year, I still have plenty more pages to write in my story and I will make the most of the opportunities in the next chapter."
