Mark Webber feels his former team Red Bull have softened their stance on their driver programme following the return of Brendon Hartley.

The New Zealander was first dropped from the Red Bull family seven years ago after the team decided he was not up to the standard required.

But Hartley went away and created an impressive CV with Porsche in the World Endurance Championship before getting back in touch with motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko to enquire about a potential return to Formula 1.

With Daniil Kvyat dropped from the programme and Carlos Sainz moving to Renault earlier than planned, it led to Hartley coming back into the fold at Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso.