2016 has been an arduous year for Daniil Kvyat, with a high profile demotion from Red Bull to Toro Rosso and question marks over his driving, form and future. But throughout it all the Russian has held faith in his belief and vowed to keep fighting, and now, after a positive first day at Marina Bay, he has his sights set on a much-needed revival…
Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR11 at Formula One World Championship, Rd15, Singapore Grand Prix, Practice, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore, Friday 16 September 2016.
We know that our car is much more competitive in corners rather than on straights, so we will try to make use of that
Daniil Kvyat
Q: Daniil, most of the teams today did a back-to-back test from the Monza weekend: what is Toro Rosso’s conclusion of the aero package for this race?
Daniil Kvyat: It is still rather difficult to say, as the Singapore track and the Monza track are too different to make any real comparison. The analysis is done and we are pretty confident after today but we will have to see what we in the end decide for this race.
Q: You knew before that Monza would be a difficult race for Toro Rosso. With what kind of outlook did you come here to Singapore?
DK: From what we’ve seen today the Singapore track suits us a lot better. We always know that when we are at tracks that have a lot of full-throttle areas we’ll lose a lot of time per lap. So here in Singapore these areas are a lot less and it is more about driving the corners. We know that our car is much more competitive in corners rather than on straights, so we will try to make use of that and make it work. Hopefully we will be able to bring something good home. I personally love street circuits and I have very good memories about this race. For sure you start at zero every year, but I try to do some good work with my engineers and I am sure that we will look okay. Hopefully. It would be very much appreciated.
Q: What are your feelings towards the ultrasoft tyres being used here?
DK: It has worked not too badly. We have collected a lot of data today. I think I was one of the drivers with the most laps in both sessions. It is still a new compound, although maybe not too different from the supersofts that we have already used in a couple of races. But nevertheless it is very important to know as much as possible to minimise the surprises for the race and qualifying.
Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR11 at Formula One World Championship, Rd15, Singapore Grand Prix, Practice, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore, Friday 16 September 2016.
I don’t know when there will be a decision made, and I also do not pressure the team or myself. We all are working very hard to move forward
Daniil Kvyat on his future
Q: Can you tell us anything about how you see your personal future in Formula One and the team?
DK: I personally just keep working as hard as possible with what I have in my hands, and what the team knows about me you will have to ask them. This should not be an excuse for anything, but everyone has limitations, including the team as well. I don’t know when there will be a decision made, and I also do not pressure the team or myself. We all are working very hard to move forward. I have always been loyal to any team that I was working for, and now I work for Toro Rosso. Personally I do not believe in luck, I believe in myself and get on with what I have.
Q: Helmut Marko still must be keen on you, as he seems willing to give you time to get back to your old self. He also said that you are a magnet for things that can go wrong…
DK: Yes, I do appreciate his support. Also that he understands that so many things that went wrong this season went wrong on my car! Let’s hope that with the start of the fly-away season that all that is behind me now. Believe me I’ll work very hard to get back to where I’ve been!
Q: Do you have any plan B, and is there anything other than racing that you can see yourself in?
DK: Of course life goes in many directions, but at the moment I am happy to be a Formula One driver and I love what I do 100%. I do enjoy my life a lot right now, even though a lot of things have been going on recently. In an ideal world there is no reason for me to change direction, but for sure it depends not only on me but also on the circumstances around me!
Q: So a good result would be more than welcomed here…
DK: It is welcomed anywhere but in the current situation it would help a lot! Last year I finished in P6 with Red Bull Racing – that probably will be difficult to achieve, but once the issues leave me alone - why not! Fingers crossed!
