Formula 1: Daniil Kvyat confirmed at Alpha Tauri for 2020

Scuderia Alpha Tauri have confirmed that Daniil Kvyat is set to return to the team in the 2020 Formula 1 season, confirming previous speculation.

As speculated following the confirmation of Alexander Albon at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing for the 2020 Formula 1 season, Scuderia Toro Rosso, the Red Bull Racing junior team that are set to be renamed Scuderia Alpha Tauri ahead of the 2020 season, confirmed that Daniil Kvyat is set to return to the team next year.

Red Bull Racing team manager Helmut Marko previously stated that the three open seats within the organization, the one at Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen and the two at Alpha Tauri, would go to the three drivers currently within the organization.

So with Albon set to stay put at the Milton Keynes-based team, this set up the 25-year-old Russian to stay put at the Faenza-based team.

Here is what Kvyat had to say about this opportunity, according to the team.

"“It’s great to be confirmed with the team for 2020. I’m really happy because I feel very comfortable with everyone here, I know the team and they know me very well, so it’s easy to understand everyone’s needs. We’ve achieved great things together, like our podium this year in Germany, so I hope to deliver a very strong season again for this team next year. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue in Formula 1 and I will give it my all to show the best possible performances next year. I’m really looking forward to more exciting times together.”"

Pierre Gasly, who also currently drives for the team, was also confirmed by the team for the 2020 season. Here is what team principal Franz Tost had to say about the team’s driver lineup for next year.

"“I’m delighted to retain Pierre and Daniil for next season. Both drivers have shown really good performances this season and they have proven in their years in F1 to be very competitive, able to exploit the car’s potential and give valuable feedback to make improvements. This young but experienced duo, combined with hopefully a competitive car, will be the best factors to achieve a very successful season in 2020 and I’m looking forward to this extended cooperation.”"

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Kvyat has competed in Formula 1 since the 2014 season, and he has never competed for a team other than Toro Rosso or Red Bull Racing.

He has competed in 91 races over the course of his career, including 70 at Toro Rosso and 21 at Red Bull Racing. He has recorded three podium finishes, including two at Red Bull Racing and one at Toro Rosso. He finished in third place in this year’s German Grand Prix driving for the latter, marking the only podium finish for a non-Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull Racing driver since Racing Point’s (then Force India’s) Sergio Perez finished in third in last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Kvyat drove for Toro Rosso in the 2014 season before replacing the Ferrari-bound Sebastian Vettel ahead of the 2015 season at Red Bull Racing. He spent the entire 2015 season driving for the team, but after three starts in the 2016 season, he was replaced by Verstappen and sent back to Toro Rosso, where he finished out the year.

Kvyat returned to Toro Rosso in the 2017 season, but he was replaced by Gasly before the season ended. He did not drive in Formula 1 in the 2018 season, but Toro Rosso brought him back for the 2019 season.

How will Daniil Kvyat perform in what is set to be his fifth overall season driving for Toro Rosso (Alpha Tauri), his third full season driving for the team, his sixth overall season in Formula 1 and his fifth full season in the sport in 2020?