Almost a year after he was ousted from the Red Bull program, Daniil Kvyat could return with to Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2019, Christian Horner has confirmed.
The Russian endured a torrid 18-month spell which saw him replaced by Max Verstappen at Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, after colliding with Sebastian Vettel a race earlier in Sochi, and then his final exit after a final appearance with the junior team in Austin in last year.
With Pierre Gasly joining Red Bull and the team not having much faith in Brendon Hartley, expectations are an all-new line-up will be at Faenza next season with a number of names linked.
This is because the company’s top junior, F3 driver Dan Ticktum, is struggling to get a superlicence as a result of a prior two-year ban he was given while racing in MSA Formula in 2015.
McLaren junior Lando Norris has also been linked but now the young Briton is eyeing Stoffel Vandoorne’s seat for 2019, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.
Since leaving Red Bull last year, Kvyat has been part of the Ferrari development program and has raced in sportscars while also completing simulator work for the Scuderia.
Asked by Sky Sports about the rumour, Horner said: “There’s always rumours this time of year, Monza being a hotbed of that.
“I think the situation with Toro Rosso is pretty open so I think everything is being considered. He’s one of several drivers who are on the list.”
