Hartley still unable to be Red Bull reserve

(GMM) Brendon Hartley is still unable to take up his position as Red Bull's formula one reserve driver.

The teenage New Zealander has not been granted a mandatory superlicense credential by the governing body FIA, and as of a few weeks ago he was awaiting the outcome of an exemption application.

For the Australia-Malaysia double header, Red Bull advisor David Coulthard took up reserve duties, and confirmed that he will maintain the role until Hartley – or another Red Bull junior driver – is available.

The veteran Scot will indeed be on standby again in Shanghai this weekend, with confirmation that Hartley, 19, will be engaged elsewhere.

While the F1 circus races in China, he will be at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, for the beginning of a three-year deal in the World Series Renault category.

"Depending on his availability, either he will continue with us for the rest of the year or be replaced by another Red Bull driver," said Tech 1 team boss Simon Abadie.