Daniil Kvyat believes Pierre Gasly may have an easier time adjusting back to Toro Rosso than he did in 2016.
Both drivers have the unwanted honour of having been demoted back to the junior team from Red Bull, Gasly’s coming after a difficult first 12 races this season.
At Spa, the Frenchman’s first race back at Toro Rosso, he would finish behind Kvyat even though the Russian had started near the back of the grid due to engine penalties.
And he admits it is tough to compare the relative situations regarding his and Gasly’s return.
“I think it’s hard to say, it’s individual I think,” Kvyat said.
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“At that time I had done one and a half years with Red Bull which is not easy to come back, he just had half a season with Red Bull and is already back, so he is probably still familiar with the Toro Rosso car and team.
“It’s hard to say, you might adapt to the car straight away in the middle of the season or you might not. It’s hard to say. It’s difficult to predict.”
Kvyat, who is currently having his third spell at the Italian squad having rejoined for 2019, also played down any possible need for him to support Gasly.
“Maybe he will not need any, I don’t know, maybe he’s going to be okay you never know how things are going to develop,” he stated.
“Again, he might be driving a car that doesn’t suit him and then he jumps back in and the car suits him and everything is fine.
“In Formula 1 everyone is quite individual and sometimes without knowing a person there is nothing you can really tell. I think now he just needs to focus on his job and that’s it.”