Brendon Hartley has responded to reports Toro Rosso looked to replace him for🉐 the remainder of the Formula 1 season with McLaren youngster Lando Norris by saying it is “silly for me to comment on rumours.”

ꦯHartley has scored just one point so far this season with Toro Rosso, with his failure to match teammate Pierre Gasly’s results leading to speculation ahead of the Monaco Grand ꦦPrix his seat could be at risk.

Rep🅷orts emerged earlier this week claiming Toro Rosso had in fact approached McLaren about signing Formula 2 racer Norris o🅺n loan in place of Hartley, potentially starting as early as the Austrian Grand Prix later this month.

However, this propoꦐsal was rejected by McLaren, with sources indicating to mahbx.com that any poꦑssible deal for Norris to drive to Toro Rosso is extremely unlikely this year.

Hartley hit back at the rumou൩rs by saying he had a firm contract in place with Toro Rosso, as well as expressing self-confidence in his displays so far this season.

“It’s the second grand prix in a row Iꦉ’ve b𝐆een responding the rumours. But it’s not really interesting for me to comment,” Hartley said.

“I know what my contract says. I’m veꦛry confident in the work I’ve been doing behind the scenes with Toro Rosso to develop the car. Things didn’t really go my way in Monaco qualifying, but I felt pretty strong all weekend. I’m going to take the same approach this weekend.

“I don’t think it makes a lot of sense to comment on rumours. There always seems to be rumours in Formula 1. Anyway, like꧟ I say, I know what my contract says, and I know the work I am doing behind the scenes. I know I have the ability to be here and doing a good job in Formula 1.

"I don’t have the points on the boa🧸rd, but I know it’s possible. I think it’s silly for me to comment on rumours, as that’s all they are."

Asked if the team had spoken to him about the stories, Hartleyܫ said it had not been discus♔sed, and was unlikely to be.

“I haven’t actually spoken to Franz [Tost, team principal] yet. To be honest with you, I’m focused on this weekend,i t doesn’t even make sense to have t🌌he conversation,” Hartley said.

“Like I say, I have a contract to be here, and I’m looking forward to 🎃t𓃲he next races, especially with the updates we have planned.”