Daniil Kvyat admits any chance of keeping his seat at AlphaTauri for next season is dependent on a “very particular scenario”.
It is widely known that Red Bull is keen to promote Formula 2 driver Yuki Tsunoda into the Russian’s seat for 2021, with the Japanese recently testing the 2018 car at Imola.
“I know – like I said already many times – the chances of me being here next year are very slim,” Kvyat said in Bahrain last week. “It will depend on a very particular scenario.”
That scenario is Tsunoda not gaining his necessary super-licence, with him needing to finish at least fifth in the F2 standings to do so.
Currently, the 20-year-old does hold that position but he does face a threat from Christian Lundgaard with one round to go this weekend.
Even so, for Kvyat his focus is simply ending this season strongly.
“I’m kind of already with my mind just focusing on these three races here and not really thinking too much about the future,” he added.
“I’m just going to give my best to this team these next few races and then we will see, you know.
“They deserve me, you know, thinking about these three races and staying focused here because in the end this year, there was a lot of ups and downs, but lately it’s been going better and better.”
If Kvyat is dropped, it would just be another tale in his rollercoaster association with Red Bull which saw his rapid rise in 2014/15, subsequent fall in 2016/17 and his return last year.
“I’ve been called to this team because they needed me here for 2019 and 2020,” he said when asked about that.
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“That was my target of trying to do a good job for this team in these two years, and then… we agreed, that we would see what the future holds.
“So far I feel like last year and this year, yeah, I have been doing my best for this team and it’s been working very well. I am very happy.
“If it has to happen that it’s my last season in F1, then you look on it from a bright side. You know, that it’s been – what is it, 110 or something races, a few podiums and other strong races – of course, it’s not bad,” he added.
“But of course, I always wanted to have a proper fight for the world championship as a driver. And this is why I will always have more hunger, you know.
“Regardless, I will always try to come back and have another shot. As my career shows you can always have a shot again, if you’re in the right place at the right time.”