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Daniil Kvyat's manager Nicholas Todt says that the Russian's Formula 1 campaign in 2019 will be his last chance to make an impact and secure his spot for the long-term.
Kvyat made his debut in 2014 with Toro Rosso, before being promoted to Red Bull for 2015. However, after four rounds into the 2016 season, Kvyat was bumped back down to the junior team, while Max Verstappen took his seat at the race-winning squad.
Kvyat stayed at Toro Rosso before he was stopped altogether towards the end of the 2017 season. But amid a shortage of options for Toro Rosso in 2019, it opted to bring Kvyat back, who spent 2018 working as a Ferrari development driver.
"In Formula 1, it's always difficult to get a second chance," Todt told Corriere dello Sport. "He wanted to understand what happened and did a great job on the Ferrari simulator. His situation reminds me of the return of Felipe Massa to Sauber in 2004. Two years later he was at Ferrari with Michael Schumacher.
"I don't want to indulge in dreams, but Daniil is a talented rider and a good athlete, not forgetting about cultural development. He reads Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. This is a very intelligent and self-analytical person.
"He returns to Formula 1 less emotional and more mature. It is clear that he needs to achieve results, but he also understands how important this chance is and that he will not get another one," Todt added.
Toro Rosso will launch its new car on Monday, February 11, the same day as Williams. Kvyat will partner Alexander Albon for the upcoming season, who finished third in the Formula 2 championship last year.
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (7)
Login to replyblade
Posts: 341
Good luck to Daniil, everyone matures at different rates, he's obviously impressed within the circle with his attitude and contributions.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Don't need pressure from his own 'manager'. But, it is clear as in day light that, its his last chance.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Clear as mud. Red Bull are out of options, and Daniil have experience from F1. I don't know how much sponsor cash he'll bring along, but that too will probably help. Even if Honda's cash probably is sufficient as is.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I don't mean this as criticism toward Daniil, but I agree that Red Bull came out looking desperate. Their pipeline is drying up fast. They keep having to bring drivers from places other than their academy and junior categories.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Same, he was pretty good, metinks. The problem with Red Bull is that they wasted so much talent. Vergne was evidence of such talent, and now they'll have a hard time replace it. One of the darker sides of a team I otherwise like, together with the management.
xoya
Posts: 583
It's incredible how RedBull treated a really good driver because of another really good driver with better name and marketing.
It's even more puzzling why no one took a punt with Daniil after RedBull. He is much better than Grosjean and he made waaaaay less errors.
Toro Rosso results after demotion should not be considered at all, given how that kind of mistreatment would affect anyone's mind.
blade
Posts: 341
Agree 100%. I don't like RBR management one bit. I recall how they treated Webber too but most of all, the total lack of class in handling the Renault relationship, crass and petulant - hope they learned from that.