Daniil Kvyat Has Been Replaced By Max Verstappen At Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing has changed up its driver line-up for the remainder of the F1 2016 season, with Max Verstappen moving up and Daniil Kvyat being demoted to Toro Rosso
Daniil Kvyat Has Been Replaced By Max Verstappen At Red Bull Racing

Just a few weeks ago, Daniil Kvyat was standing on the podium after finishing third at the Chinese Grand Prix. But things didn’t quite go so well in Russia last weekend and now he’s found himself back in a Toro Rosso seat.

Kvyat hit Sebastian Vettel twice on the opening lap of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi and the collisions also had a big impact on team-mate Daniel Ricciardo’s race, causing Red Bull to lose vital points in the championship.

Image source: Red Bull Content Pool
Image source: Red Bull Content Pool

Despite his good form at the previous few races, Red Bull has taken the brutal decision of demoting him back to Toro Rosso, the team he made his F1 debut with in 2014. He will be replaced at the top team by Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman has proved to be one of F1’s hottest rising stars, after a thrilling first year in 2015 with Toro Rosso and a feisty start to this season. With Ferrari and Mercedes potentially being interested in snatching Verstappen, Red Bull has opted to promote him to a top drive.

Christian Horner explained in a statement that all four drivers at the two teams are on long-term Red Bull contracts and can be changed around without issue. The driver switch comes into force with immediate effect, with Verstappen debuting as a Red Bull driver in Spain.

Image source: Red Bull Content Pool
Image source: Red Bull Content Pool

Horner said:

“Max has proven to be an outstanding young talent. His performance at Toro Rosso has been impressive so far and we are pleased to give him the opportunity to drive for Red Bull Racing. We are in the unique position to have all four drivers across Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso under long term contracts with Red Bull, so we have the flexibility to move them between the two teams. Dany will be able to continue his development at Toro Rosso, in a team that he is familiar with, giving him the chance to regain his form and show his potential.”

What do you think? Too harsh? Deserved? Is Max ready for Red Bull? Let us know below!

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Comments

Sean C

To be fair the second impact with vettel was vettel unexpectedly slowing down.

05/05/2016 - 08:19 |
4 | 14
Anonymous

In reply to by Sean C

I disagree.. Vettel had massive wheelspin coming out of the corner which allowed kvyat to close in really quickly, to which kvyat did’nt react quick enough.

05/05/2016 - 08:33 |
6 | 2
Anonymous

That’ll be some blow to the ego

05/05/2016 - 08:19 |
22 | 0
David Kirkorov

That douche got what he deserved!

05/05/2016 - 08:22 |
30 | 20

He got a podium in china…

05/05/2016 - 15:51 |
2 | 0
Freddie Skeates

That’s a bit irrational really. I didn’t know that was a lower in the first place

05/05/2016 - 08:24 |
4 | 0

*allowed

05/05/2016 - 08:24 |
0 | 0
Duk'agjin Maxharraj

It would be pretty funny if Verstappen crashed into Seb as well 😂

05/05/2016 - 08:24 |
240 | 6

I can see the headlines now… “Red Bull appear to be painting targets on Vettel after third crash in a row!”

05/05/2016 - 13:04 |
34 | 0

First corner takes him out 😂 I think seb would get out and knock horner and verstappen out

05/05/2016 - 17:37 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Max is the real deal and will be a future world champion, so yes he deserves the promotion, but Carlos Sainz would have to feel a bit hard done by as well.

05/05/2016 - 08:25 |
102 | 8
LeloCro

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Everyone is saying that he will become a future champion, just like people did with Hulkenberg a few years ago.
We will have to wait and see

05/05/2016 - 19:48 |
2 | 0
Daniil Kvyat Has Been Replaced By Max Verstappen At Red Bull Racing
Hewaar

Is it for one race or the whole season?

05/05/2016 - 08:27 |
0 | 0
PorscheQuattroM-Power

In reply to by Hewaar

Whole season

05/05/2016 - 08:38 |
0 | 0
Ali Mahfooz

In reply to by Hewaar

…changed up its driver line-up for the remainder of the F1 2016 season

05/05/2016 - 08:38 |
0 | 0
CZ 69% Muscle

I don’t think Kvyat got the worst end of this deal.Think about it,he’ll be driving a car which is more reliable and faster in a straight line since Red Bull is still using the crap Renault unit

05/05/2016 - 08:34 |
0 | 0

According to the latest gps data, the 2015 Ferrari engine used in the Toro Rossos is the weakest engine in the grid this year.

05/05/2016 - 09:06 |
0 | 0
kyl_er34

Kvyat has one bad race and is dropped? Sounds to me like Red Bull was waiting for him to f*ck up so they can can him.

05/05/2016 - 08:40 |
12 | 4
Fat Beckham

Little more than Red Bull trying to court Max ahead of his contract running out with Toro Rosso. Ferrari and Mercedes have reportedly already been sniffing around - what better way to keep hold of him by giving him a rapid promotion, before being tied in to a four, five year deal? It was always going to happen, Kvyat just brought it forward by having a rough weekend. Scary how little it takes to fall out of favour with Helmut though - then again, I’m sure Buemi, Alguersuari, Vergne etc can all testify to how brutal Red Bull’s junior program actually is…

05/05/2016 - 08:47 |
40 | 2

Don’t forget Sebastian Bourdais.

05/05/2016 - 14:21 |
4 | 0