user icon
user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Kvyat denies Russian sponsors are behind his promotion

Kvyat denies Russian sponsors are behind his promotion

  • Published on 23 Oct 2013 11:45
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Daniil Kvyat has denied his surprise promotion to Toro Rosso for 2014 is being powered by Russian sponsors. "To come into formula one, especially with Toro Rosso, all that matters is the performance and the results," the 19-year-old GP3 driver told Championat. Kvyat admitted, however, that his "door is open" to potential partners. "We might be able to make some announcement," he told the Russian publication, "but I think we are far away from that."

It is also believed Kvyat's signing, ahead of Carlos Sainz jr and Portuguese Antonio Felix da Costa, could be related to the inaugural Russian grand prix next year. Former Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger, however, said Kvyat's talent is obvious. "He is a natural," the grand prix winner is quoted by APA news agency. "He has brought strong results despite not having the best car."

Berger said he thinks Kvyat will cope, even though he is skipping the recognised final steps to F1 such as GP2 or the Formula Renault 3.5 series. "Toro Rosso is a good school, and a good driver will always manage," he said.

Kvyat told the Russian website f1news.ru that he felt his chances intensify as he built momentum this year with strong results in GP3 and F3. "All of the key people at Red Bull saw that I was able to win races in two different series," he said. "I think this led to the decision."

At the same time, hot favourite da Costa was struggling in Formula Renault 3.5. "This year, he had to fight for the title," said Kvyat, "but it didn't come together, let's say, smoothly. With me, the opposite happened -- at first it was not easy, but I learned to cope with it well and I think all the right people appreciated it."

He insists he is not too young or inexperienced for F1. "I have done about 160 races in the junior categories, and had many podiums and victories," said Kvyat. "Kimi Raikkonen did I think 32 races and then came into formula one, so I don't see any problems. Vettel debuted at about the same age."

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko agreed: "Everyone who has been involved in the decision said Daniil, through his performance, his speed and his maturity, was the ideal candidate." He told Spain's El Confidencial that speculation linking Kvyat's deal with the Russian grand prix is wide of the mark. "We looked for what is best for Red Bull and what is best for Toro Rosso in the medium term," said Marko.

He said Kvyat will be given some time to get up to speed with experienced teammate Jean-Eric Vergne. "Of course he will have to learn how it works in formula one, learn the tracks, but I would say that after six or eight races he should be in a position to stand up to Vergne," said Marko. (GMM)
F1 News Daniil Kvyat Carlos Sainz Jr Renault
<< Previous article Next article >>

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

Related news

World Championship standings 2021

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
286
2
Mercedes
282
3
McLaren
163
4
Ferrari
148
5
Alpha Tauri
49
6
Aston Martin
48
7
Alpine F1
40
8
Alfa Romeo Racing
2
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Driver profile

RU Daniil Kvyat 26
Daniil Kvyat
  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 194
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 93
  • Country RU
  • Date of b. Apr 28 1994 (27)
  • Place of b. Ufa, RU
  • Weight 58 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Renault
Renault
Show full profile

Formula 1 Calendar - 2021

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
26 - Mar 28
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
16 - Apr 18
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
30 - May 2
Portugal
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
7 - May 9
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
20 - May 23
Monaco
Monte Carlo
4 - Jun 6
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
18 - Jun 20
France
Paul Ricard
25 - Jun 27
Austria
Red Bull Ring
2 - Jul 4
Austria
Red Bull Ring
16 - Jul 18
United Kingdom
Silverstone
30 - Aug 1
Hungary
Hungaroring
27 - Aug 29
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
3 - Sep 5
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
10 - Sep 12
Italy
Monza
24 - Sep 26
Russian
Sochi Autodrom
1 - Oct 3
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
8 - Oct 10
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
22 - Oct 24
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
29 - Oct 31
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
5 - Nov 7
Brazil
Interlagos
19 - Nov 21
Australia
Albert Park
3 - Dec 5
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
10 - Dec 12
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2021

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
26 - Mar 28
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
16 - Apr 18
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
30 - May 2
Portugal Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
7 - May 9
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
20 - May 23
Monaco Monte Carlo
4 - Jun 6
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
18 - Jun 20
France Paul Ricard
25 - Jun 27
Austria Red Bull Ring
2 - Jul 4
Austria Red Bull Ring
16 - Jul 18
United Kingdom Silverstone
30 - Aug 1
Hungary Hungaroring
27 - Aug 29
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
3 - Sep 5
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
10 - Sep 12
Italy Monza
24 - Sep 26
Russian Sochi Autodrom
1 - Oct 3
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
8 - Oct 10
Japan Circuit Suzuka
22 - Oct 24
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
29 - Oct 31
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
5 - Nov 7
Brazil Interlagos
19 - Nov 21
Australia Albert Park
3 - Dec 5
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
10 - Dec 12
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar