At one point, earlier this season, it appeared that Daniil Kvyat was on his way out of Formula 1, after being demoted from the Red Bull team to Toro Rosso it was then reported that the outfit’s junior driver Pierre Gasly would replace the Russian, if not during this season fort sure next year – but plans have changed.
Toro Rosso announced during the United States Grand Prix weekend that their driver line-up would remain the same – Kvyat will partner Carlos Sainz in the team next season.
Red Bull F1 team chief Christian Horner explained the decision to Sky F1, “It is quite simple really, Dany Kvyat is a good young driver. He has had a tough time this year and that has been tough for him. He is addressing some of the issues he had a problem with earlier in the year and he is finding his confidence again.”
“We felt at 21 years of age it was right to give him another opportunity in the Toro Rosso against Carlos Sainz and I think he will benefit from that.”
Gasly was a top contender for the drive, but now he will have to wait another year and if he is lucky could be drafted into the team in 2018.
The Red Bull junior programme is notoriously harsh and in the past has had no problem discarding or making redundant talented drivers that knock on the door to Formula 1, and even drivers that spent a season or two with Toro Rosso.
Horner added, “We felt it was better to give Daniil that seat rather than award it to Pierre at this point, who we still rate highly and who is an important part of the team conducting important test and development work for us. But there are only so many cockpits for our drivers.”
“It is a possibility [to drive for another team] if the right opportunity came up for [Gasly] we would consider releasing him from that if he can dovetail it with some of the work he is doing for us.”
Read the full story at GRAND PRIX 247
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