Daniil Kvyat will remain at Toro Rosso for the 2017 season it has been confirmed.
Kvyat was controversially demoted from Red Bull earlier this year and replaced by Max Verstappen after clumsily crashing out of the Russian Grand Prix. He has since struggled for form, scoring points on just three occasions.
There were rumours that the Russian would be replaced by GP2 title contender Pierre Gasly, but it is understood that Helmut Marko, the head of Red Bull’s successful young driver programme, was keen to offer Kvyat another chance.
Force India had been linked with a swoop for the 22-year old following the departure of Nico Hulkenberg, but Toro Rosso has now confirmed both Kvyat and team-mate Carlos Sainz for 2017.
“Great news!” Kvyat enthused. “I’d like to thank Red Bull, Dr. Marko and all the team for their support and the faith they have shown in me since I returned to the team earlier this year.
“I’m very happy to stay with a team that feels like home to me. I’m really looking forward to continuing the hard work together in 2017 and I’m really aiming high.
“I will always be fully dedicated, giving my 200%, and I will be pushing as hard as I usually do, that’s for sure. I’m delighted!”
Kvyat has upped his game in recent races, out-qualifying Sainz at the last two events, and team principal Franz Tost says his improvement in form was central to the team’s decision.
“It makes a change to announce our driver line-up relatively early,” Tost said. “There are so many new elements coming to Formula 1 in general and to our team specifically, in terms of the change of power unit supplier, that having the same two drivers gives us stability and a benchmark to work from.
“For Carlos, it will be his third year with us, which speaks volumes when it comes to how highly we rate him. In recent races, it has been clear that Daniil is back on top form.
“I always told him that his future with us was in his hands and he has stepped up to the mark and delivered the sort of performances that have ensured his 2017 seat in the STR12.
“We now have a very talented and strong driver pairing to tackle a season in which we expect to be very competitive.”
The news leaves the aforementioned Gasly in somewhat of a quandary, with the Frenchman overlooked despite securing eight podiums and three victories in F1’s feeder series and is still a contender for the title at the season finale in Abu Dhabi next month.
