Daniil Kvyat claims he is “stronger and better prepared” ahead of his 2019 return to Formula 1 with Toro Rosso.
This weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin marks a full year since the Russian’s last race with the junior Red Bull team, after which time he was dropped completely from their program.
Since then, he’s spent time with Ferrari as a development driver but personally, he’s undertaken a battle to get his psyche back on track after a difficult 18 month period.
“I’m very happy to be back but you cannot be happy forever,” he said. “You have to recognise that there is a lot of work ahead, and I’ve worked hard on myself this year.
“It’s very important to be in a good mental state and that is exactly what I was focusing on this year, even though very recently it was not certain that I would go back [to F1].
“Once I heard it, I was confident it would be very positive,” he added.
Also Read:
- Kvyat never fully understood 2016 demotion from Red Bull, Horner claims
- Sainz backs Kvyat to make successful F1 return with Toro Rosso
Since his return was confirmed back at the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, Red Bull has spoken of a more mature, much less impulsive Kvyat compared to the one which got the nickname of ‘torpedo’ in 2017.
From his own experience back with the 24-year-old, Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost agrees the two-time podium sitter appears almost a new man.
“I was with Daniil in Sochi and we had a fantastic dinner together,” he said. “He’s relaxed and I have the feeling he is much more measured than the year before.
“I expect a competitive Daniil Kvyat [next season],” Tost concluded.
