Hartley “Stoked” for Expanded WTR Andretti Role

Photo: Jamey Price/WTR Andretti

Brendon Hartley said he’s excited to be in an expanded role with Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti that will see the Kiwi contest at least three IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races in the team’s No. 10 Acura ARX-06.

The four-time and defending FIA World Endurance Champion, who was part of WTR Andretti’s Rolex 24 at Daytona lineup last year, will contest a minimum of three Michelin Endurance Cup races for the team, effectively replacing Louis Deletraz, who has moved into a full-time role in the team’s expanded two-car Acura GTP effort.

Speaking with Sportscar365, Hartley admitted that it currently remains unclear if will contest the two six-hour rounds at Watkins Glen International and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I think it depends on how the championships go,” he said. “At least doing Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans… they’re all amazing races.

“I think they’re up there with some of the best endurance races in the world with the team with a chance to win.

“When the opportunity came up, I couldn’t turn it down and Toyota were very nice in allowing me to do it again.

“I’m stoked to be doing more races. Last year I would have liked to have done them too but it was a late call-up by Wayne [Taylor] to do just Daytona.

“When he called me this year about doing all three, I jumped at it. Toyota were very nice to allow me to do it.

“WEC is growing again in numbers in the number of races. We have [eight] races this year, which for a driver like myself, in the past I was doing a lot more races, doing different championships.

“I think adding another three races on the calendar is good for me. It keeps me sharper.

“From my side, I think it’s a really positive thing and I have to say a big thanks to Toyota for allowing me to do it again.”

Hartley explained there’s no conflict from Toyota’s side for him to slide into the factory Acura operation since the ARX-06 currently doesn’t compete in the WEC.

“Obviously the first chat from both sides is that there’s no information being passed in either direction, which is a pretty obvious one,” he said.

“I think from Toyota’s point of view, at the moment we’re not racing against each other, so they didn’t see it as a competitor.

“I would assume next year if Acura comes to the WEC, it would be a bit tougher for me to do this.”

After finishing second last year, Hartley said he feels they have all the ingredients to make a run for the win, despite the team’s expansion into a two-car operation.

“Wayne Taylor Racing has always been a one-car effort,” he said.

“A lot changes going to two cars, even just arriving here, there’s a lot of new faces, a lot of people I don’t recognize.

“Getting all those people to gel and work as one team. I guess it’s a big task.

“But there’s more potential. You’ve got those two sets of data and more information coming in, so hopefully the team can make the most of it, which I’m sure they will. But it’s going to be quite a new experience for everyone.

“In theory there’s more potential with two cars to do the job.

“I’m confident. Wayne Taylor Racing has done this race enough. They know how to win it. I’ve got great teammates and great lineups in both cars. I’m sure we’re going to have a chance.”

Jamie Klein contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John