Sportscar ace Brendon Hartley will make his Formula 1 race debut in the United States after Toro Rosso confirmed that the New Zealander will take Pierre Gasly’s place in the team.

Hartley, 27, is a former Red Bull junior driver who tested for Toro Rosso twice back in 2009. He will join Daniil Kvyat in a revised line-up as Gasly returns to Japan to contest the Super Formula season finale.

"What an amazing feeling!” said Hartley, who won the Le Mans 24 Hours this season and was world sportscar champion in 2015.

“This opportunity came as somewhat of a surprise, but I never did give up on my ambition and childhood dream to reach F1. I have grown and learnt so much since the days when I was the Red Bull and Toro Rosso reserve driver, and the tough years I went through made me stronger and even more determined.