Daniil Kvyat speaks confidently but respectfully when he admits he’s come to Red Bull to win titles.
The 20-year-old Russian knows he faces a tall task emulating the man he will replace at the Austrian team next year.
Sebastian Vettel has won the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship four times – some big shoes for Kvyat to fill – but he is calm and relishing the challenge.
“I’m very honoured and very happy,” said Kvyat when asked about racing for Red Bull in 2015.
“I’m so excited. I’m always excited about racing. I’m doing what I love and loving the opportunity to race next season for a top team. But now, I’m obviously thinking about the future. Working as hard as possible and trying to extract the maximum out of any opportunity.”
German driver Vettel will fulfil a boyhood dream by racing for Ferrari next season.
Vettel may be a legend but Kvyat is not daunted by replacing him, saying: “He was as young as I am once, so it’s up to me in the future. I am feeling good (about replacing him), but I think it’s always important to be yourself.”
Like all drivers, Kvyat’s ultimate goal is to become world champion.
He said: “This is why I’m here. It’s a great opportunity to win something but you have to work hard for it to deserve it.”
Kvyat replaced Australian Daniel Ricciardo at Torro Rosso and admits is a little sad to be leaving.
He said: “It’s been a fantastic experience. I’m lucky to have had some fantastic people around me. It’s hard to believe that it’s my last race for them and I have to thank them.”
