Brendon Hartley might have a reason to smile after all if he wants to revive his struggling Formula 1 career.

Axed New Zealand Formula 1 driver Brendon Hartley has been linked to a role at glamour team Ferrari.

Hartley is looking for work after losing his job at Toro Rosso on the back of a frustrating first full season in F1 where he won just four points.

Ferrari need a simulator driver, a key role in terms of car development and race set-up, and Hartley's name is doing the rounds in Italian media.

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Ironically Hartley could fill a role held last year by Daniil Kvyat, a young Russian driver who has now been taken on by Toro Rosso.

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Ferrari's other 2018 development driver Antonio Giovinazzi has been picked up by Sauber.

AP Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel believes good simulator work will help him hunt down Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes.

Hartely has said he would like to stay involved in F1 though he has a lifeline at Porsche who are about to enter the Formula E electric car GP circuit. He has also been tipped for another drive with Porsche at Le Mans where he won the famous race during his stint as an endurance driver with the German manufacturer.

He would have to weigh up driving options against a backroom job at Ferrari, though the prestige of the Italian team and their famous red cars would surely be tempting, especially given how quickly things can change in motorsport's toughest environment.

Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel, who finished second to Lewis Hamilton in last year's F1 championship, is confident his team will sign up suitable talent for what he sees as a key role.

GETTY IMAGES Sebastian Vettel takes his Ferrari past Brendon Hartley's damaged car at the 2018 Italian Grand Prix.

"Personally, I'm not a fan of the simulator because it's just not fun," Vettel told Corriere dello Sport.

"But you get the point, it is very important, it is an important tool. Based on our findings, we change the car, it is better and we were happier.

"We're extremely thankful for the guys, taking in the time because it's not the nicest job on Friday night, especially when you're young, but it's important, it all adds up.

GETTY IMAGES Brendon Hartley, right, sits alongside Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel at at Formula 1 media conference.

"Everybody plays his part and in the end we have the honour to have the steering wheel in our hands and drive the machine that we all try to create and reach out with performance.

"For 2019, it's true, we take a step but I think we will find people that fit in very well and very quickly so I'm confident we will have a strong team on that front as well."

Ferrari finished second to Mercedes in the 2018 F1 constructors' championship but made significant gains with their cars that should roll into the new year.

Former Williams driver Sergey Sirotkin is the other big name alongside Hartley being mentioned as a dedicated simulator driver.

Contracted Ferrari test drivers Marc Gene and Davide Rigon are also in the mix though there are strong suggestions the team want someone with significant F1 experience.