Toro Rosso to stick with Kvyat and Gasly in 2020

Toro Rosso have announced that they will retain their current driver line-up into the 2020 season, with Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly set to continue on at the Italian team next year.

The news, which followed hot on the heels of Red Bull confirming that Alex Albon would remain at the team alongside Max Verstappen for 2020, will see the pair line up for their first full season together, after Gasly found himself moved back into the Italian outfit mid-way through the 2019 season, having started the year driving for Red Bull.

READ MORE: Albon to remain alongside Verstappen at Red Bull for 2020

“I’m delighted to retain Pierre and Daniil for next season,” said Toro Rosso Team Principal Franz Tost. “Both drivers have shown really good performances this season and they have proven in their years in F1 to be very competitive, able to exploit the car’s potential and give valuable feedback to make improvements.

“This young but experienced duo, combined with hopefully a competitive car, will be the best factors to achieve a very successful season in 2020 and I'm looking forward to this extended cooperation.”

"I'm really happy to continue with the team for 2020 and I’m sure we have exciting challenges ahead of us,” said Gasly. “Toro Rosso has always given me the best chances to perform every season and I'm super motivated and dedicated to repaying them with the best results possible next year. Toro Rosso has been improving year after year and it's great to be a part of the journey.”

Meanwhile, 2020 will mark the fifth season in which Daniil Kvyat will start a Grand Prix as a Toro Rosso driver. And understandably the Russian – who scored a sensational second-ever podium for the team in Germany this year – admitted that he was “very comfortable” within the Faenza-based organisation.

“It's great to be confirmed with the team for 2020,” he said. “I'm really happy because I feel very comfortable with everyone here, I know the team and they know me very well, so it’s easy to understand everyone’s needs.

“We've achieved great things together, like our podium this year in Germany, so I hope to deliver a very strong season again for this team next year. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue in Formula 1 and I will give it my all to show the best possible performances next year. I'm really looking forward to more exciting times together.”

In terms of the announcement’s effect on the driver market, Toro Rosso's news means that just one seat remains to be filled on the grid for 2020, alongside George Russell at Williams, with Canadian F2 racer Nicholas Latifi heavily fancied to take that drive.