Porsche: Hartley free to take up Toro Rosso chance

While referring to the story circulated by multiple media sources as "speculation at this point," Porsche has confirmed that they would not stand in the way on contractual grounds if any approach was made to give Porsche LMP Team driver Brendon Hartley a Formula 1 debut at the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas next weekend.

Hartley, who was once part of the Red Bull Junior program and the F1 team's reserve driver between 2009 and 2010, has permission from Porsche to race elsewhere while still driving in the brand's LMP1 program.

"At the moment, the story is just speculation, but from Porsche's point of view, any request to do this would be no problem," a Porsche spokesperson told RACER. "The only restriction on any of our drivers after Le Mans is that they must not be in a situation where they are competing with Porsche or any other VAG brand. The same was the case when Brendon was racing and ultimately winning at Petit Le Mans last weekend."

The potential opportunity has arisen as Pierre Gasly looks set to miss the U.S. Grand Prix in order to fight for the Japanese Super Formula title for Red Bull-backed team Mugen on the same weekend.

Should Hartley get the opportunity, he would become the first New Zealand driver to start an F1 Grand Prix since Mike Thackwell in 1984.