Daniil Kvyat's stay at Toro Rosso has been agreed "internally" for 2020, says team advisor Dr Helmut Marko.
Marko also confirmed that the position of Red Bull's second driver alongside Max Verstappen will come down to Pierre Gasly or Alexander Albon.
Kvyat rejoined Toro Rosso in 2019 after spending the 2018 campaign with Ferrari as a development driver, having been previously ousted from the Red Bull programme.
The Russian has impressed on his return, scoring his third career podium and Toro Rosso's second ever at the German Grand Prix earlier this year.
However, Kvyat is not in line for a seat at Red Bull, which Marko states will go to either Pierre Gasly, who was demoted from the team to Toro Rosso last month, or Alexander Albon, who took Gasly's place.
"We will make our evaluation after Mexico,” Marko confirmed to Sky F1 ahead of qualifying in Singapore. “Kvyat is confirmed for next year already, at least internally it’s clear. Then it’s between Gasly and Albon [for Red Bull].”
Marko's comments add further weight to Red Bull's philosophy of promoting from within, as team boss Christian Horner stated on Friday that it was not interested in Nico Hulkenberg for next season, who is currently out of a seat.
Red Bull currently sits third in the constructors' championship as it goes in chase of Ferrari, who lies 85 points in front with seven races remaining this year.
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Replies (5)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
I'm surprised kvyat isn't being considered for red bull
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Mark's words are worthless. I bet Kvyat ends up being promoted. Gasly is finished (unless he shows some extraordinary form with Toro Rosso which I doubt). Albon is OK, but clearly not Red Bull level to occasionally challenge Max. Albon is a better version of Gasly
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yes, but honestly I don't think we can properly measure Albon yet. He hasn't been given the time Gasly had at all, and even Gasly's time up top was scarce at best.
Mansell
Posts: 104
Marko has his head too far up his own arse to repromote Danni
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
Surely Albon needs the time till Mexico to adapt and outperform anything Gasly did, based on similar number of races....I think Marko is right on this one. With Honda's debt being in a TR is not a bad place to be surely.