Daniil Kvyat will return to Formula 1 next year after signing a new deal with Red Bull, confirming his remarkable comeback to the pinnacle of motorsport after being demoted by the team twice after a series of crashes and poor on-track performances.
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Daniel Ricciardo’s shock move away from Red Bull’s main team to Renault paved the way for Frenchman Pierre Gasly’s promotion, leaving a vacant seat at junior team Toro Rosso.
Kvyat was promoted to Red Bull’s main team in 2015 after an impressive spell at Toro Rosso, but ultimately returned to the junior team to make way for rising star Max Verstappen.
In a subsequent blow, he was dropped by the team altogether at the end of last season, though he managed to secure a reserve driver role with the Ferrari works team.
Commenting on his return, the Russian racer said he is “pleased” to be returning to F1, expressing his excitement.
"I will give my best to deliver what the team expects from me and I can't wait for everything to start again."
Meanwhile, Team Principal Franz Tost said Kvyat is a "high-skilled driver with fantastic natural speed,” saying he believes he has matured during his break from the sport and will show everyone his “undeniable capabilities” next season.
With Williams driver Sergei Sirotkin likely to be offered a contract extension, F1 is set to have two Russians on the grid for the 2019 season.
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