[ad_1]
SOCHI, Russia – Toro Rosso confirmed that former driver Daniil Kvyat would return for a third stint with the team in 2019.
Kvyat has not had a Formula One seat since being eliminated by Toro Rosso and withdrawing from the Red Bull Driver Program last year. The Russian driver has been chosen as Ferrari's development driver this season, his role being mainly focused on simulator work. On Saturday, as expected in the F1 paddock, Toro Rosso announced that Kvyat would be back in the race for next season.
Kvyat began his career with the team in 2014 and was promoted in 2015 to replace Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull. However, he failed to score a victory for the former world champion. to Toro Rosso before the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. His second stint lasted until the American Grand Prix last year in October.
Toro Rosso knew that he needed to find at least one new driver for next year after Pierre Gasly's promotion to Red Bull; The Frenchman will replace Daniel Ricciardo after the introduction of the Australian at Renault next year. The future of Gasly's teammate is less certain. Brendon Hartley had his own return story last year, which coincided with the end of Kvyat's second stint, but fought for form in 2018.
If the team were to replace Hartley, the options are limited. The Red Bulls pilot program does not have viable candidates, its main junior driver, Dan Ticktum, does not have enough super-license points to take the step towards F1 and he will not beat Mick Schumacher for the title. Formula 3 this year. seeming more and more improbable. Former Manor and Sauber driver Pascal Wehrlein has been linked to the other seat since his exit from the Mercedes program earlier this month.
Speaking of the return of Kvyat, Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost said: "I think he deserves another chance in Formula 1.
"Daniil is a highly qualified, fantastically natural speed rider, which he has proven many times over the course of his career, having had to deal with difficult situations in the past, but I am convinced that Having had the time to flourish races will help him show his undeniable abilities on the track, we will strive to provide him with a good package and I feel that the best is yet to come from his side. start a successful season together. "
Source link
