Russian is given another chance by Red Bull and Toro Rosso

Daniil Kvyat has been confirmed as Red Bull-bound Pierre Gasly’s replacement at Toro Rosso for the 2019 Formula 1 season.

It will be the Russian’s third stint with the Red Bull-backed squad, having raced for the team in 2014, and 2016-17. He stepped up to the senior team in 2015, but was replaced midway through 2016 by Max Verstappen and placed back with Toro Rosoo.

He was then dropped again when Red Bull lost confidence in him, and was replaced by Brendon Hartley.

The New Zealander’s future is uncertain, but Pascal Wehrlein is reportedly under consideration.

Kvyat, 24, said: “First of all, I would like to thank Red Bull and Toro Rosso for giving me this opportunity to race in F1 again and I am particularly pleased to be returning to a team I know very well. Toro Rosso has always made me feel at home and I’m sure it will still be the same next season.

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“I would also like to thank Ferrari for trusting my driving skills which allowed me to stay connected to F1 as their development driver. Even if my duties were primarily simulator based, I’ve learnt a lot, and I now feel stronger and better prepared than when I left Toro Rosso.

“I never gave up hope of racing again, I am still young and I have kept in good shape to always be prepared in case another opportunity presented itself. I will give my best to deliver what the team expects from me and I can’t wait for everything to start again.”
 
Toro Rosso team principal added: “I believe he deserves another chance in Formula 1. Daniil is a high skilled driver with fantastic natural speed, which he has proven several times in his career. There were some difficult situations he had to face in the past, but I’m convinced that having had time to mature as a person away from the races will help him show his undeniable capabilities on track.

“We’ll push very hard to provide him with a good package, and I feel the best is yet to come from his side. That’s why we are happy to welcome him back to our team, to start a successful season together.”

Only the two seats and Williams and Force India, plus Kvyat’s team-mate at Toro Rosso, are still be confirmed for next season.

View the 2019 F1 grid so far