The last time he hopped out of a Toro Rosso after the United States Grand Prix, Daniil Kvyat could not have believed he would be back with the team that have treated him like a yo-yo over the years and yet again given him another crack at the big league.
Speaking at the end of his first day back in Formula 1 action for the Red Bull junior team, Kvyat said, "I think today was a very positive and good day as we covered 155 laps, which is about three Grands Prix in one day."
"To be honest, I felt comfortable and confident straight away in the car which was great. What's important about today was we were able to test a good amount of tyres for next year, gathering a lot of useful information and data for the team. I'm feeling really comfortable here and it's great to be back, I'm really looking forward to next year!"
After being axed last year by Red Bull, Kvyat was snapped up to do simulator work for Ferrari. A role he has had to give up to return to the grid next year.
Team chief Franz Tost said of his charge's first day back at the team, "We were all more than happy to see Daniil back in Toro Rosso for the second day of testing, and he was able to immediately show a good performance."
"With all of the new data we've gathered, the engineers have a valid platform on how to prepare and run the tyres next year. We're already looking forward to the next season, Daniil and Alex [Albon] are very competitive drivers and we can't wait to see them on track."
Kvyat was a product of the Red Bull junior driver programme and was promoted to Formula 1 for the 2014 season with Toro Rosso.
He impressed enough to get promoted to the senior team alongside Daniel Ricciardo, his rise had been rapid but when he stepped up to Red Bull in 2015 he proved to be inconsistent and erratic, no match for Ricciardo. Four races into 2016 he was demoted back to Toro Rosso.
But the Russian failed to improve and was first dropped after the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix, and finally given his marching orders after a one-off appearance for the team in Austin that year. At the time the damage appeared terminal, but clearly not.
Ironically the driver who stepped up to replace him last year, Brendon Hartley, was the man Kvyat now replaces at the Faenza based outfit.
https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/10/25/marko-kvyat-will-not-return-again/
Latest News
Loading
