Red Bull drop Daniil Kvyat and replace him with Max Verstappen

05 May 2016 08:23

Red Bull have dropped Daniil Kvyat and replaced him with Max Verstappen for the remainder of the Formula One season.

Verstappen, 18, who made his debut last year as the sport's youngest-ever driver, makes the move up from Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso following Kvyat's red-faced display at his home race in Russia.

Verstappen will team up with Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull from next week's Spanish Grand Prix, with Kvyat, 22, moving in the other direction and rejoining Toro Rosso to partner Carlos Sainz.

"Max has proven to be an outstanding young talent," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said in a statement released on Thursday.

"His performance at Toro Rosso has been impressive so far and we are pleased to give him the opportunity to drive for Red Bull Racing.

"We are in the unique position to have all four drivers across Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso under long term contracts with Red Bull, so we have the flexibility to move them between the two teams.

"Dany will be able to continue his development at Toro Rosso, in a team that he is familiar with, giving him the chance to regain his form and show his potential."

Kvyat, who finished third at the Chinese Grand Prix last month, came under fire for his most recent performance in Sochi after he crashed into Sebastian Vettel on two occasions on the opening lap.

The force of the second impact ended Vettel's grand prix, leaving him to swear six times over the team radio, while Ricciardo, also caught up in the incident, subsequently called on his team-mate to apologise.

Red Bull's decision to axe the Russian after just four races of the new season leaves his long-term ambitions with the team in major doubt.

Verstappen's impressive displays have courted the attentions of Mercedes and Ferrari, and with Kimi Raikkonen out of contract at the end of the season, his promotion to the Red Bull team could be seen as a move to block any approach from the famous Italian constructor.

The Dutchman, son of Jos Verstappen who competed in 106 grands prix, only passed his driving test last year, and does not turn 19 until September.

McLaren driver Jenson Button expressed his surprise at Red Bull's decision to replace Kvyat.

The 2009 world champion wrote on Twitter: "Really? one bad race and Kyvat's dropped, what about the podium in the previous race? #Shortmemories"

Source: PA