Kiwi Formula 1 driver Brendon Hartley's family in New Zealand admitted their nerves had gone up a notch this morning as the young driver made his debut at the US Grand Prix in Austin.
Hartley's father Bryan Hartley went to a local pub in Palmerston North this morning to watch and cheer on his son.
Bryan said he had a sleepless night and spoke to Brendon at 2.30am (NZ time) this morning to wish him all the best.
"He was less nervous than I was," said Bryan Hartley.
"Absolutely stoked with that, he's done an incredible job."
Brendon Hartley finished 13th driving for his team Toro Rosso.
"His lap times were good, he showed he can pass and he showed he could keep up with consistent times.
"I couldn't be happier," said Bryan Hartley.
Brendon Hartley started 19th on the grid of this morning's Grand Prix.
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