London: Red Bull Racing have dumped Daniil Kvyat from their driver line-up for the rest of the Formula One season and replaced him with teenager Max Verstappen, the team announced on Thursday.
The change comes four days after Kvyat crashed into Sebastien Vettel’s Ferrari twice during the Russian Grand Prix. Kvyat will now drop down to Verstappen’s seat in Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso.
“Max has proven to be an outstanding young talent,” said team principal Christian Horner in a statement released to media. “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.”
Verstappen joins Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull garage for the remaining 17 races of the season, while Russia’s Kvyat returns to Toro Rosso after being promoted to replace Vettel, who won four world championships with Red Bull, in 2015.
Kvyat was in the Red Bull dog house after his antics in Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix triggered carnage on the first lap. Kvyat ran in to the back of the German at Turn Two and then as the pair recovered they clashed again at Turn Three at Sochi. The shock of the crash sent Vettel into a spin into the barriers and out of the race.
“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,” Red Bul boss Christian Horner said.
