Daniil Kvyat will remain in Formula 1 as a development driver for Ferrari in 2018. Kvyat struggled with Toro Rosso in the 2017 season and was dropped after the United Stated GP. The Russian made his debut with the Faenza-based team in 2014 in F1. The talented Kvyat won the GP3 championship the previous year to earn the promotion. The 19-year old impressed his Red Bull bosses in his first season in F1. This saw him win the big prize of a seat with the senior Red Bull team for 2015.
Daniil Kvyat stays in Formula 1 for 2018
Red Bull Race Seat
Kvyat replaced the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull Racing as he departed to Ferrari in 2015. After a slow start, the Russian improved and outscored his teammate Daniel Ricciardo to finish seventh in the drivers’ championship (95 points). In 2016, some rash starts and mistakes in the early races saw Kvyat demoted back to the junior Red Bull team after four races.
Back at Toro Rosso
The demotion seemed to seriously undermine Kvyat and led to an emotional meltdown that saw his performances dip at Toro Rosso during the rest of the season. Kvyat was lucky to be given another chance and retained for the 2017 season. But the Russian never regained his mojo and struggled next to the fast improving Carlos Sainz this season. Kvyat was replaced by Pierre Gasly for two races before he was brought back for the United States GP. Though an improved performance saw him score a point it was too late. Kvyat was dropped by Toro Rosso after this race.
Attempts to Stay in F1
Attempts to get the second Williams seat and stay in Formula 1 proved futile. The Russian is just twenty-three years old and impressed with his raw speed at the start of his F1 career. Instead of moving to another racing series, Kvyat has elected to stay in F1 with Ferrari. He has signed a deal with the marquee team as a development driver for 2018. The role would mainly entail simulator driving and probably driving during tests. Kvyat will hope that a race seat opportunity will open up in future with one of the teams.
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