Motorsport: Date set for Brendon Hartley's first drive of 2018 Formula 1 car

Brendon Hartley on track during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi driver Brendon Hartley will get to drive his new Honda-powered Toro Rosso Formula 1 car for the first time on February 21 in Misano.

The STR13 is allowed to be run for the first time for promotional purposes – the session can't exceed 100km and promotional Pirelli tyres must be used.

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The session will take place four days before Toro Rosso officially unveils their 2018 car at an event in Barcelona. The first four-day pre-season test begins the next day on February 26 when Hartley will able to really try and get to grips with the new car.

The season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix in March.