Daniil Kvyat poised for F1 return at Toro Rosso & Sochi announcement, Dutch media claim
Ferrari's current development driver Daniil Kvyat has apparently signed a contract with Toro Rosso, the team that dumped him back in 2017 to promote Gasly. According to Dutch media Ziggo Sport Totaal, an agreement has been reached in Monza and the annoucement is set to occur at Sochi.
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Former Red Bull and Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat is set to make his return to Faenza, after he was demoted and dropped one year ago before the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Russian is now set to be announced as part of Toro Rosso's 2019 line-up and the official news is expected to be broken in Sochi, in two weeks' time.
After Pierre Gasly was promoted to Red Bull during the summer break, the Milton Keynes-based team started scouring its junior programme, looking to fill the Toro Rosso line-up with the right candidate. According to Dutch sources, Kvyat was willing to end his contract as a developmental driver with Ferrari and former F1 driver Robert Doornbos claimed on Ziggo Sport Totaal that he has already signed with Toro Rosso for the upcoming season.
"He will drive for Toro Rosso next year. Contract signed." Doornbros said.
Further information corroborating the aforementioned claims come from Nyck De Vries, who added: "The contracts were signed on Saturday at Monza. I was there all weekend".
Having a Russian Grand Prix as the next leg of the season comes quite handy when it comes to announcing a local driver. Helmut Marko was interviewed by Italian broadcaster Sky Sport F1 HD. Asked if Toro Rosso will be fielding either Kubica, Giovinazzi or Kvyat, the Austrian said: "One of them. I will tell you at Sochi".
Half of the Toro Rosso line-up dilemma is theoretically sorted now, but more speculation follows, as former Mercedes protege and DTM champion Pascal Wehrlein is now a free agent. Yesterday's announcement featured an interesting quote from Toto Wolff, "We couldn't offer Pascal a competitive drive for next year", hinting at his Mercedes' links possibly blocking a handful of F1 opportunities. Brendon Hartley is skating on thin ice, as his presence in 2019 is far off from being secure. Therefore, more drivers are definitely in contention for his seat.
After Pierre Gasly was promoted to Red Bull during the summer break, the Milton Keynes-based team started scouring its junior programme, looking to fill the Toro Rosso line-up with the right candidate. According to Dutch sources, Kvyat was willing to end his contract as a developmental driver with Ferrari and former F1 driver Robert Doornbos claimed on Ziggo Sport Totaal that he has already signed with Toro Rosso for the upcoming season.
"He will drive for Toro Rosso next year. Contract signed." Doornbros said.
Further information corroborating the aforementioned claims come from Nyck De Vries, who added: "The contracts were signed on Saturday at Monza. I was there all weekend".
Having a Russian Grand Prix as the next leg of the season comes quite handy when it comes to announcing a local driver. Helmut Marko was interviewed by Italian broadcaster Sky Sport F1 HD. Asked if Toro Rosso will be fielding either Kubica, Giovinazzi or Kvyat, the Austrian said: "One of them. I will tell you at Sochi".
Half of the Toro Rosso line-up dilemma is theoretically sorted now, but more speculation follows, as former Mercedes protege and DTM champion Pascal Wehrlein is now a free agent. Yesterday's announcement featured an interesting quote from Toto Wolff, "We couldn't offer Pascal a competitive drive for next year", hinting at his Mercedes' links possibly blocking a handful of F1 opportunities. Brendon Hartley is skating on thin ice, as his presence in 2019 is far off from being secure. Therefore, more drivers are definitely in contention for his seat.