Brendon Hartley feels Toro Rosso cou🌜ld be a surprise package in 2018 following its tie-up with new Formula 1 engine partner Honda.

The Faenza-based cut ties with former engine supplier Renault at the end of last season in favour of switching to a works deal with Hon𓄧da, following the Japanese manufacturer’s divorce from McLaren after༺ a disastrous three-year spell.

Honda’s troubles with a lack of performance and reliability in the V6 hybri🌼d era have been well documented, but after Toro Rosso compiled the most running of any other team during the opening pre-season test in Barcelona - completing a total of 324 laps without any issues - Hartley is full of confidence.

"I’m really optimistic and positive about this new relationship with Toro Rosso and Honda,” Hartley told wuqian0821.com. “Everyone’s working really hard. I ꦍsee that we’re going to improve during the seasജon. I hope that we can be a bit of a surprise.

"I think a lot of people wrote us off with the new partnership with Honda. I really believe we can surprise a few people. I know myself the people in this team and🐟 how hard Honda are working as well. I’m really looking forward to the season.”

The two-time WEC champion says he has set himself targets of achieving his maiden points finish and potentia🔥lly even a podium during his first full F1 campaign with Toro Rosso,😼 having contested the final four races of 2017. 

“I♓ k𒉰now myself, my goals, of how I want to perform. But it’s hard to put a number on that. It’s a team sport, it’s not just individuals. There’s more than 400 people in Toro Rosso working towards that goal. 

“I’m the final piece of the puzzle inside the c♋ar, myself and Pierre, but it’s a big team effort. I have some personal💙 goals and targets that I want to fulfil, and I think only I’ll know if I’ve achieved them.”