'Kvyat purely for political and media reasons in F1'

  • Published on 07 Sep 2017 15:17
  • comments 5
  • By: Rob Veenstra

1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve says he would not be surprised if Toro Rosso sweeps its driver lineup clean in the near future. The French Canadian said he is not particularly impressed with either Carlos Sainz, who is linked with a switch to Renault or elsewhere, or Daniil Kvyat.

Villeneuve is especially critical of Russian Kvyat. "He did not adapt to Red Bull, so he went back to Toro Rosso. But he did not bounce back," he told the Belgian website f1nal-lap. "He is still not at the level of Sainz, and in addition, he does nothing but stupid things and never learns from them."

Indeed, Kvyat has scored only 4 of Toro Rosso's 40 points this year, but Villeneuve says he is not very impressed with Spaniard Sainz either. "He stays in a straight line -- he's the same driver he was three or four years ago," Villeneuve insisted.

"Also, he so often spits on Toro Rosso -- 'the car is no good, I don't want to be in the team'. I would not be surprised if these two do not continue for long in F1. (Pierre) Gasly is coming, but the chance that Kvyat stays is because Red Bull needs a Russian. Clearly he does not deserve his place this year. He's there purely for political and media reasons," Villeneuve added. (GMM)

"In addition, he does nothing but stupid things and never learns from them." Love that quote because it fits Villeneuve himself so... so... perfectly well!

  • 2
  • Sep 7 2017 - 16:53

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • Typical Villeneuve. Some truth behind a lot of stupidity. The Kyvat part of is totally true though. He might be the most undeserving driver on the grid. On the other hand Sainz is great and getting better. As soon as he gets a better car he will be able to show it.

    • + 1
    • Sep 7 2017 - 15:25
  • Kean

    Posts: 692

    Not a big fan of Vileneuve, but I agree with him regarding Kvyat. I was astonished when Red Bull picked him over Jean-Eric Vergne.

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2017 - 15:34
    • jimac

      Posts: 30

      Totally agree, I've never gotten my head round why JEV was not retained.... There was nothing between him and Daniel Ricciardo, it could be argued that Verne was actually better in the actual races, showing an Alonso-like ability to carve through the pack/overtake. It's all money, marketing and timing I guess.....

      • + 0
      • Sep 8 2017 - 17:08
  • "In addition, he does nothing but stupid things and never learns from them." Love that quote because it fits Villeneuve himself so... so... perfectly well!

    • + 2
    • Sep 7 2017 - 16:53
  • Harryw

    Posts: 107

    He sadly keeps mr putin happy

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2017 - 23:31

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 194
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 93
  • Country RU
  • Date of b. Apr 28 1994 (29)
  • Place of b. Ufa, RU
  • Weight 58 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar