Franz Tost left unsurprised by Hartley's difficulties with the media

Franz Tost has a reputation for picking out young drivers who go on to achieve great things in Formula 1. But, for the time being, at least, Brendon Hartley hasn't turned out to be in that club. Hartley was replaced after just one year inside the Toro Rosso garage.

The New Zealander said his racing was fine, but he struggled with the pressure from the media. Tost completely agrees with this statement and claims racing is the easiest part for young drivers.

"Formula 1 doesn't just revolve around racing. In fact, for many young drivers, I think that part is the easiest. There is a lot more involved, even within the team where you drive," Tost explains to Motorsport.

"Compared to ten or twenty years ago, the drivers are a lot less mature than back then. You give interviews on the conveyor belt and think about what you say. For the press, it might be good that someone occasionally says something that is not the intention, but not for the racers themselves."

Rumours developed in Monaco that Hartley was going to be replaced. The press dug in and asked the Kiwi his thoughts over those rumours, but he claimed he knew nothing. This certainly didn't give him any favours.