Brendon Hartley says the “tough” four-race stint with Toro Rosso at the end of 💖the 2017 season was the “perfect introduction” to Formula 1 ahead of a full campaign next year.

LMP1 world champion and Le Mans winner Hartley was a surprise replacement for Pierre Gasly for the United Sta🐎tes Grand Prix in October as Toro Rosso battled a driver crisis, but did enough to earn himself a place for the three final races in place of the dropped Daniil Kvyat.

Toro Rosso confirmed last month Hartley would race through 2018 alongside Gasly, and while the New Zeal🌳ander encountered a number of challenges in the four-race stint, he feels it was the perfect preparation for next year.

“The learning process was steep and very important. It was tough, I’m not going to lie, especi🃏ally with eight weekends on the trot,” Hartley said at the FIA Prize G🍷iving gala on Friday in Paris.

“That was a good experience for me, to learn what that takes out of you and 🎐what areas you need to improve𒐪. That was the perfect introduction into Formula 1 in terms of preparing a season, having some real racing experience to start next year.

“I’m looking forwar🧔d to having a bit of a break, recharging the batteries, and coming back strong next year. I’m hearing a lot of positive things out of Toro Rosso and out of Honda.

“I can’t wa✤it to work alongs⛎ide them next year, and hopefully prove my worth in Formula 1.”