MOSCOW, May 5. /TASS/. Formula One team Red Bull is unlikely to take back Russian racer Daniil Kvyat after it swapped him with Dutch pilot Max Verstappen from team Toro Rosso, Russia’s famous F1 manager and promoter Oxana Kosachenko told TASS on Thursday.
Motorsport.com web portal reported earlier in the day that starting with next Grand Prix in Spain Kvyat would be racing for team Toro Roso while 18-year-old Verstappen would take his place in Red Bull. The swap will remain in force for the rest of the season.
"I doubt it," Kosachenko said in an interview with TASS when asked if Kvyat had chances of returning to Red Bull. "I cannot say whether it was a punishment, but the team was very unhappy with what happened with Dani at the Russian Grand Prix."
"It is more likely that Dani was told what he needed to do," she said. "The most important for us is that he stays in the paddock of Formula One racing and he will stay. The atmosphere in Toro Rosso is less tense and he would be more comfortable there."
"Daniil Kvyat’s incidents may be attributed to psychological pressing and pressure, which he perhaps he was not ready for. This was of course a racing incident. One must race and attack, but it is also necessary to understand the consequences of the situation," Kosachenko added.
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- Red Bull chief Horner expresses modest expectations at F1 Russia GP in Sochi
After qualifying in 8th place for Russian Grand Prix in Sochi last weekend, Kvyat began the race hitting Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel twice in the back of his car during the opening lap, forcing the German racer to crash into the barrier. Kvyat’s teammate Daniel Ricciardo was also involved in the incident as he was hit by Vettel.
Kvyat eventually finished his home race 15th and Ricciardo was 11th under the chequered flag, leaving their Red Bull team with zero points at Sochi Grand Prix. Although Kvyat expressed his apologies to Vettel after the race, his team’s management expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Russian pilot in Sochi.
After the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, which was this season’s fourth race, Red Bull is in 3rd position of Constructor Standings, 19 points behind team Ferrari and only six points ahead of team Williams.
Kvyat, who won his second F1 career podium at Chinese Grand Prix on April 17, is currently in 8th position with 21 points, while his Red Bull replacement Verstappen is in 10th position with 13 points.