Daniil Kvyat expects to remain at Red Bull in 2016

F1i 16:31 15/08/2015
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  • Determined to stay: Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat.

    Daniil Kvyat doesn't yet have a new contract with Red Bull, but his father is among those confident it's just a matter of time before a deal is agreed.

    Viacheslav Kvyat said he has no doubts that his son will be retained by the team for 2016, especially after the 21-year-old clinched second place at the Hungarian Grand Prix just before the summer shutdown.

    "Those who are waiting, let them wait," said Kvyat, who acts as his son's business manager, insisting that there is already a multi-year agreement of some form in place with the team.

    He told the Russian newspaper Izvestia that he didn't expect there to be any change in Daniil's racing status in 2016 but also admitted that he wasn't expecting there to be be a quick decision: "We do not expect any decisions on the part of the contact."

    Kvyat's team mate Daniel Ricciardo has been unofficially confirmed at remaining with Red Bull next season, with team principal Christian Horner calling the team's contract with the Australian "watertight" and dismissing rumours the driver might be snapped up by Ferrari as completely without foundation.

    There's been less assurance about Kvyat's position in the team. He had been struggling to find his form since his promotion to the team over the winter to replace Sebastian Vettel, but Horner praised the youngster following his breakthrough success at the Hungaroring.

    "He’s getting there," said Horner. "I think he did a really good job and he deserves his first podium. I think that’s another tick in the box for him and he’ll draw confidence from that. It’s part of an upward trajectory for him, he’s developing very nicely."

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    Kvyat's old boss at Toro Rosso, Franz Tost, also gave the driver the thumbs up this week in comments to f1-insider.net.

    "He has a sensational car control and is exactly like Vettel," commented Tost. "Extremely focused with great assertiveness."

    Tost added that Kvyat moving from Russia to Italy to pursue his career in motorsport had been a mark of the youngster's determination to improve and be the best. "That makes what he has done so far even more valuable."

    Oksana Kosachenko – who previously managed Vitaly Petrov, the first Russian to compete in Formula One – pointed out the fact that Kvyat didn't yet have a signed contract for 2016 didn't necessarily mean that one wasn't far off or in much doubt.

    "While Kvyat is not confirmed in the seat for next season, it doesn't mean that he has no contract with the team," Kosachenko noted, adding that Ricciardo was in a very different situation in terms of contracts.

    "Daniil is part of the Red Bull young drivers programme. Decisions about the end of the contract or his moving to one or another series would be in the hands of [Red Bull motorsports advisor] Dr Helmut Marko. Everything will depend on his decision.

    "If Daniel Riccardo signed a two-year agreement to compete in Formula One, then Kvyat is in a slightly more complicated situation. But the result at the Grand Prix of Hungary is proof of the quality of his performance. Therefore, I see no problem in his staying with the team next season."

    Igor Ermilin, who is an advisor to the president of the Russian Automobile Federation, was similarly confident that Kvyat would be staying at Red Bull in 2016.

    "I have no doubt that Daniil will be at Red Bull the next year," said Ermilin. "He's a very strong competitor at the moment, certainly just as good as his more experienced team-mate Riccardo."

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