From the early days of the Red Bull Junior Team in Formula 1 to conquering the world's most iconic endurance races, uncover the incredible story of Brendon Hartley’s rise in WEC
Brief overview of Brendon Hartley’s career in motorsport
Brendon Hartley is a New Zealand professional driver, who built his motorsport career through junior formulas before finding long-term success in endurance racing.
He took international racing seriously in 2005 after strong karting results in New Zealand. Hartley later moved to Europe in 2006 at age 16 to race single seater championships. Over time, his career shifted toward endurance racing, where he became a regular in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Toyota Gazoo Racing signed him as a factory driver in 2016.
Brendon Hartley’s age, family and early life
Brendon Hartley was born on November 10, 1989, in Palmerston North, New Zealand. He grew up around motorsport and started karting seriously at the age of six.
Hartley won several national karting titles before turning 15, which brought early international attention. In 2004, Hartley was selected for the Red Bull junior driver program. Two years later, he relocated to Europe to pursue professional racing full time.
How did Brendon Hartley get to WEC?
Between 2006 and 2010, Hartley raced in several junior single-seater categories across Europe, including Formula Renault and Formula 3. From 2012 to 2016, he worked as a simulator and reserve driver for Red Bull. During this time, he began shifting his focus toward endurance racing and joined Porsche’s LMP1 programme in the World Endurance Championship.
He made his Formula 1 debut with Scuderia Toro Rosso in October 2017 and competed across the 2017 and 2018 seasons, making 25 starts. At age 28, Hartley left Formula 1 and committed fully to endurance racing.
Notable moments and races in Brendon Hartley’s career
Brendon Hartley joined Toyota Gazoo Racing’s World Endurance Championship program during the 2016 season. The following year, he played a central role in Toyota’s title fight and won the 2017 WEC drivers’ championship, becoming world champion at the age of 27.
Hartley took overall victory at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota. His teammates were Sébastien Buemi and Fernando Alonso. Toyota claimed its first overall Le Mans win in that race.
He returned to Le Mans victory again in 2020, this time alongside Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, during a race affected by weather and safety car periods.
Between 2017 and 2023, Hartley took part in multiple WEC race wins with Toyota across circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps, Fuji, and Bahrain, often running in the lead group during six-hour and eight-hour races.
Brendon Hartley height: How tall is Brendon Hartley?
According to records, Brendon Hartley stands 5 feet 8 inches tall. His height suits endurance racing cockpits and long World Endurance Championship stints.
What is Brendon Hartley’s net worth?
There are several reports about Brendon Hartley’s net worth. And while there is no definite figure, it is estimated to be around $6 million.
His income comes from WEC contracts, manufacturer salaries, and major race victories.
Brendon Hartley’s relationship status: Who is Brendon Hartley’s wife?
Brendon Hartley married longtime partner Sarah Wilson in 2016. The couple maintain a private life while supporting international racing commitments. Hartley credits family stability for focus during demanding WEC seasons.
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