Kvyat talks about the Clinical Nature of the Red Bull Driver Programme

Daniil Kvyat hasn’t looked like the same driver since his demotion to Toro Rosso. The move seems to have drained him of confidence, which is a shame given that he’s a podium finisher and exciting, attacking driver on his day.

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 28: Daniil Kvyat of Russia driving the (26) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR11 Ferrari 060/5 turbo leads Romain Grosjean of France driving the (8) Haas F1 Team Haas-Ferrari VF-16 Ferrari 059/5 turbo on track during the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 28, 2016 in Spa, Belgium  (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
SPA, BELGIUM – AUGUST 28: Daniil Kvyat of Russia driving the (26) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR11 Ferrari 060/5 turbo leads Romain Grosjean of France driving the (8) Haas F1 Team Haas-Ferrari VF-16 Ferrari 059/5 turbo on track during the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 28, 2016 in Spa, Belgium (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)

In a recent interview, Kvyat has opened up to the his dealings with demotion. The Russian driver said,

“Of course there were some issues with that at some point. It wasn’t easy, I found it difficult to understand and accept things, but I’ve already started forgetting these things now. It’s not the biggest issue any more. I know my value. I’ve probably not been the most consistent guy out there but I’ve had drives on my days and last year my final position in the championship, even with by far not the best car, speaks for itself.

To be honest I never had the best package on the grid… Every time we had issues with engine, with every team I’ve been in. So it’s OK, I don’t have any issues with that. I’m racing for myself first of all, so I know how things stand and what I can do.

When you go up as high in your career you don’t expect things to change so quickly and so dramatically. It wasn’t the best thing but I’ve already turned that page, this is already forgotten. It’s not forgotten forgotten, but I’m working with a different mindset and different thoughts in my mind, not thinking about what happened in May.”

– Daniil Kvyat

xxxx during the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 26, 2015 in Budapest, Hungary.
xxxx during the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 26, 2015 in Budapest, Hungary.

Kvyat hasn’t been helped by the decline in Toro Rosso’s form. As other teams bring engine upgrades around them, they are stuck with the 2015 Ferrari power-unit. There is a question mark looming over whether Kvyat will be on the grid in 2017 with current GP2 leader Pierre Gasly eyeing promotion.

Source: @SkysportsF1/Twitter
Source: @SkysportsF1/Twitter

 

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