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Christian Horner has admitted it is unlikely Daniil Kvyat will be returning to Red Bull's senior team any time soon. Just before Barcelona, Dr Helmut Marko made the controversial decision to send Russian Kvyat back to Toro Rosso so that teen sensation Max Verstappen can be instantly promoted.
"It was not easy to convince everyone to get him in the car," Marko admitted to Auto Bild.
Ultimately, however, Marko's highly-controversial decision now appears inspired, after 18-year-old Verstappen made history with his shock first win on Sunday.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is comparing the young Dutchman with Sebastian Vettel, who also began his climb to F1 stardom with Red Bull.
"We have no new Sebastian," Marko insists. "He is Max Verstappen."
Russian Kvyat, however, might be forgiven for having his bad mood worsened still by the events of Sunday, with Verstappen winning a race at the wheel of a car he only just vacated.
"If I would have won this race?" Russia's Tass news agency quotes the 22-year-old as saying after Verstappen's historic breakthrough. "We will never know.
"But I know my potential and that I can win races and championships. It just seems that my path will be more difficult. I need to be patient," Kvyat added.
But Red Bull appears more than delighted with Verstappen alongside Daniel Ricciardo.
"I think his (Kvyat's) return is highly unlikely in the near future," said Horner, "but you can never rule anything out.
"He has a long-term contract and he will continue to gain experience at Toro Rosso, without being under so much pressure," he added.
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Replies (5)
Login to replymclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
He is on his way out, Saniz destroyed him, if he was closer and sainz beat him it would have been more excusable. Kvyat was a lap down.
Vet5
Posts: 225
Agree'd! I was kind of hoping Kvyat would prove himself but he had no excuse for being that far behind from Sainz!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
We cant really call this weekend representative for Kvyat. He didnt perform well, yes, but he had just switched from a better car, and I think thats a harder adjustment than what Verstappen had to adjust to. And it wasnt all disaster, he did get points afterall. But Sainz was really strong this weekend, very impressive performance.
Wolfgang
Posts: 313
i think sainz is same level as verstappen..
Nicky666
Posts: 96
Sainz makes too many mistakes (last one was driving too fast through the pitlane for at least the third time...he's not a fast learner either). But maybe if he tries harder, he can prove himself. Until then he's just not up to par.