When Toro Rosso announced they’d given a 19 year old a drive for 2014 with a name I hadn’t heard much of, neither could I even pronounce, I’ll admit I was sceptical.
It was Malaysia Free Practice 1, I was watching through Sky F1’s race control – Daniil’s T cam to be precise. I didn’t realise at first, one’s mind can wander during the sea of blankness which is, of course, the first half hour. But then I woke up and saw that what was on the TV screen was actually very exciting. Kvyat was demonstrating how to keep a car in a straight line when it didn’t seem to ever want to be. Every corner he was making quick adjustments to his steering without fighting, bringing the car back into line. The cars of 2014 won’t be remembered as easy to control, but Kvyat looked comfortable even when the car looked to be driving on ice. Not the fastest way around track of course but FP1 was Daniil’s first time at Sepang, he was learning it. It was controlled chaos. It was brilliant to watch.
I was really impressed, he was only 19 at the time. Unlike Ricciardo, Kvyat faced Vergne in his rookie season and out-qualified him 10-9. Arguably, Jean-Eric’s strongest discipline is the session where the points are awarded, but this is a huge achievement for Daniil nonetheless.
Another defining moment for me came in the Spanish Grand Prix. Daniil pulled off the overtake of the season in my opinion, on Esteban Gutierrez. Daniil took a tighter line through turn 2 and gave himself a larger radius to turn through the long-long turn 3. Esteban took the inside, Daniil carrying more speed on the outside. The Toro Rosso and the Sauber became side-by-side and both cars edging towards the astroturf on exit. Daniil’s car squirming everywhere, he’s having to correct oversteer at 150mph but he keeps the throttle on. It’s a drag race down to turn 4. Daniil brakes later and leaps ahead a couple of meters, leaving a Sauber sized gap on the apex. AND THEN… the camera cuts away. FOM didn’t capture the next seconds however the timesheets revealed the young Russian made it.
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The moment he’s been praised for most is his qualifying in Russia. 5th, ahead of both the Red Bulls at his home grand prix. It was a great qualifying. He sunk faster than Rory Mcilroy’s golf clubs in the race… but never mind, the race itself was forgettable!
Out of the car he is also a good driver: professional, intelligent and well spoken. From his interviews post qualifying and race he gives the impression he has good awareness of the teams actions and the consequences of his feedback of the feel of the car – arguably the most important non-driving skill demanded from a driver.
The F1 fan-site “F1 Fanatic” recently conducted a poll, asking who would win the team-mate battles. 95% think Ricciardo will win the Red Bull battle – one of the landslide victories. I can’t say I’d be part of the 5% but I hope Kvyat impresses. His controlled aggression and effortless speed already has my support.
Image courtesy of Infinity Red Bull Racing
