Daniil Kvyat will stay on as Carlos Sainz’s team mate at Toro Rosso in 2017, the Italian squad have confirmed.
Kvyat's future had been the subject of intense speculation following his 'demotion' to Red Bull’s junior team earlier this year in place of Max Verstappen, but with a raft of technical changes on the horizon next year, Toro Rosso have decided to opt for continuity in their driver line-up.
Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR11 with halo at Formula One World Championship, Rd18, United States Grand Prix, Practice, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, USA, Friday 21 October 2016.
I’m very happy to stay with a team that feels like home to me
Daniil Kvyat
“It makes a change to announce our driver line-up relatively early,” said team principal Franz Tost. “There are so many new elements coming to Formula One 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 STR 12. We now have a very talented and strong driver pairing to tackle a season in which we expect to be very competitive.”
Kvyat said he was delighted to be staying at Toro Rosso, the team with which he entered F1 racing in 2014: “Great news! 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!”
Sainz also suggested that Kvyat’s signing would be a boost for the team next year.
“Considering how many changes there are in the Formula One pipeline for 2017, it’s good to know that Daniil and I will continue to be team mates here at Toro Rosso next year,” he said. “We know each other very well, as we’ve been racing together since 2010, and we work well together. I know that this season isn’t over yet, but I’m already looking forward to next year!”
Toro Rosso are currently seventh in the constructors’ standings with 47 points.
