Why Red Bull rejects Kvyat believes he deserves another F1 chance

In times of COVID-19, teams need easy access to drivers who can step in with little preparation, and you never know when an unexpected opportunity may arise.

Like Nico Hülkenberg and Alex Albon, Kvyat is at the top of the list of drivers with new F1 racing experience, hence Alpine’s interest over the winter.

Last month, an 18-inch Pirelli tire test in Barcelona gave Kvyat a useful first taste of an Enstone car, albeit a three-year-old chassis. No further trips are planned at this time, but he is ready to intervene if Alpine asks him to.

At the same time, he’s looking for opportunities for 2022 and beyond – and it’s not surprising that an F1 return remains his priority.

“I want to race whatever it is,” he tells Autosport. “Of course, F1 is the first thing that comes to mind, mostly because I still feel like there is still some potential.

“And hopefully a different ambience than before could be better for me. I would just love to have this kind of opportunity.

“But it doesn’t matter what you like, sometimes there is an opportunity, sometimes not. So we’ll see what will happen soon. The next few months will be crucial in this regard.

Daniil Kvyat, AlphaTauri

Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images

“If not, there are many other series in which you can enjoy very competitive, strong races and make a living from it.”

A man he doesn’t expect anytime soon is his former boss, Helmut Marko.

After losing his AlphaTauri seat at the end of last season, Kvyat finally seems to be out of the Red Bull environment. With Albon on standby as a reserve and the F2 grid crammed full of Marko protégés, it is hard to imagine that he will ever get another chance.

“He’s got my number when he needs it,” smiles Kvyat. “I recently gave an interview in which I spoke about it for Formula One, I think. So just copy and paste the words.”

In fact, Kvyat told an F1 podcast that he thought Marko might still want to call him, but “that pride might get in the way”.

So did he accept that this time Red Bull is finally over?

“I didn’t say that. I won’t say much. There is already enough attention on this subject. I was asked about it like I said last week, now again … People know my number and I know who” wants it , but can no longer call me for various reasons. So I’ll leave it at that! “

Kvyat has enjoyed a roller coaster ride under Marko’s supervision at Red Bull over the years. Already 2013 GP3 champion, he was promoted the following year at Toro Rosso.

He enjoyed a solid first year with the team, but then Sebastian Vettel’s unexpected move to Ferrari in 2015 earned him an early promotion to the Red Bull senior team.

It’s easy to forget that this season he actually overtook his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo and finished second in Hungary.

Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull Racing RB11

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

After a shaky start to 2016, however, he was soon demoted to Toro Rosso and replaced by the whimpering Max Verstappen. He was ousted from the junior team at the end of 2017, spent a year as a Ferrari sim driver, and was then unexpectedly brought back to STR in 2019.

At the end of last season, he was again removed from the renamed AlphaTauri team to make way for Yuki Tsunoda after being outdone by Monza winner Pierre Gasly.

Kvyat firmly believes that there was nothing more he could have done to impress the Red Bull hierarchy.

“Absolutely no regrets,” he says. “When I look back even more, with the current situation of the drivers, I am really proud of what I have achieved there. And to be honest, if you look at this now, there was almost nothing I could have done.

“And that is something that gives me confidence in the future, which I have done. And looking back I was very depressed, but now when I look at things how other drivers take it I can definitely say.” that I can actually look back with my head held high. “

Kvyat believes that hindsight shows that he did a good job in the context of what his Red Bull replacements Gasly and Albon did. Sergio Perez also struggled despite the Mexican’s victory in Azerbaijan.

“Exactly. I got there and honestly ended up looking really good straight away. But how do you say? It was a bit of a wrong timing. I would leave it at that, but I just hope, like I said, one more To have the opportunity.

“That’s why it leaves me a little unfulfilled. Because I feel like the potential is much higher than what I’ve achieved in F1. That’s why I’m still keeping my eyes open.”

The positive news for Kvyat that after leaving the Red Bull warehouse he was asked elsewhere for a test / reserve role until 2021.

“There were definitely many options,” he says. “But I’m not going to throw any names in there. Yes, I had something to choose from.

“I had to find a way to keep myself busy and have one leg in the game. And the best opportunity this year was with Alpine.

“So I decided on the alpine option because it looked the best overall, it would keep me busy, would give me more options, would end up giving me more work to do!

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR14, leads Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB15

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

“Everything happened very quickly because suddenly they needed someone and they contacted me and [manager] Nicolas Todt. We started talking to top management, mostly Laurent Rossi. And we got together, we made a deal. And that was it. Green light.”

Kvyat has already lived a life outside the Red Bull bubble after spending 2018 as a Ferrari sim driver. Although he did a Pirelli tire test with the Maranello team, he was never in the frame as a reserve.

“Yes, it’s a bit primary here. COVID did not exist back then. So it was a little different back then. And now you had to be here physically. Because on a Thursday you never know so it’s more of a track-side role.

“They needed someone who was experienced and strong to jump in the car if they had to. And we know it’s taken a little more seriously this time, this role. So it’s mostly about, plus some simulator work, an opportunity to stay in shape. “

Kvyat likes what he saw at Enstone: “It’s always interesting to be on a different team and to work with new people.

“I’ve been to the factory and had the chance to work in the simulation. And I’m very positive about what I’ve seen so far. I think in terms of the team’s potential it’s very high. I would consider it Designate hardcore. ” Racing team with a great history.

“I got to know some people who have worked in a team for many years. These guys give this team that special spirit, and they are very competitive, at the same time very organized and very calm.

“Every session goes very smoothly, there are seldom setbacks. And good mood. I like this team, I think they have huge potential.”

He also had the opportunity to watch Fernando Alonso and see how the Spaniard works. There is always something useful to learn.

“When I was working with Ferrari, I had an opportunity to meet Kimi [Raikkonen] and Sebastian back then, both world champions. Fernando is a two-time F1 world champion with a lot of experience and I like to watch him, listen to what he likes to talk about with his engineers.

Daniil Kvyat, AlphaTauri AT01

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

“And it’s interesting for me to understand that. To be honest, nothing really surprising. In the end, work is work. But he’s very motivated, very committed, that’s for sure.”

Last month’s Barcelona test in Alpine 18-inch Mule Car gave Kvyat a feel for an Enstone product and it was a chance to understand how the team works – and for the team to get to know it.

“It’s always interesting to try the car, even if it’s a three year old car, but it still gives you an idea of ​​how systems work. In the end, the steering wheel is very similar, things like that.

“And the team could also see how I work. I always try to come up with a few ideas. I don’t like to just sit around, I like to be involved. I hope it was useful for the team to see what the new tires are are.” Over.

“Of course I want to drive as much as possible. We have to do that too [race] Interests of the drivers here. But whenever the team thinks it’s a good opportunity for me to drive, I’ll definitely take it. “

In contrast to Albon, who entered the DTM with Red Bull support but has retained his F1 reserve role, Kvyat has no racing program this year. However, he’s starting to think about what he’d like to do in 2022.

“I’m pretty open right now,” he says. “I think soon we’ll be looking at other things that might have to do with racing for the next year.

“And of course I am motivated. I am mainly in this business to win. Whatever I am going to do – be it in Formula 1 or in other categories – I will check whether it is short, medium or long-term Opportunities for “gives wins.”

It’s a plus that savvy manager Nicolas Todt is fighting for his corner, but realistically, Kvyat knows that landing an F1 racing seat is a long way off.

Apart from everything you haven’t driven in a year, you’re no longer considered current, which makes every F1 test opportunity at Alpine even more valuable.

“You’re absolutely right. Yes, it’s important to drive. I think it’s more than a year off, unless you’re an F1 world champion, you can’t really afford that. So it’s important to keep it going, keep it going. “

So where is his future? Former Haas F1 drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen both forged new careers in the US and immediately emerged as front-runners in their respective series.

Daniil Kvyat, reserve driver, Alpine F1 and Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 walk the track

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

In fact, Magnussen scored his first win since 2013 at the Detroit IMSA event last weekend, matching Marcus Ericsson’s performance in Saturday’s IndyCar race.

Coincidentally, it was also the year of Kvyat’s most recent success, in its GP3 days. The prospect of fighting for victories after years in the midfield of Formula 1 is obviously attractive.

“I’ll be very open to a lot of options,” says Kvyat. “But like I said, I’ll see where I’m most in demand, where I’m most wanted and where the chance of being competitive is greatest.

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“It’s also the pleasure of racing for myself because when you enjoy what you do it’s always a plus. So there will be a lot to see. It is important to choose the right one, but I am very open.

“Whatever there is, IndyCar, Hypercar, Formula E, even throw NASCAR in there. As I said, thinking about F1, I still have a lot to give. But when the door is closed, I’ll recognize it.” very fast. And I’m very good at going on, believe me. “