Toro Rosso will welcome back Daniil Kvyat in 2019 after the Formula 1 team announced he is replacing Pierre Gasly.
It will be the 24-year-old Russian’s third spell at Toro Rosso having driven for Red Bull’s junior team twice before - in 2014 and 2016.
The BBC says it’s a “remarkable return” for Kvyat, just a year after being dropped from Red Bull’s driver roster. He drove at Toro Rosso in 2013-14 and 2016-17, at Red Bull from 2015-16 and this year has been a development driver at Ferrari.
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Speaking about his return to F1, Kvyat said: “First of all, I would like to thank Red Bull and Toro Rosso for giving me this opportunity to race in Formula 1 again and I am particularly pleased to be returning to a team I know very well.
“Toro Rosso has always made me feel at home and I’m sure it will still be the same next season. I now feel stronger and better prepared than when I left Toro Rosso. I never gave up hope of racing again, I am still young and I have kept in good shape to always be prepared in case another opportunity presented itself.
“I will give my best to deliver what the team expects from me and I can't wait for everything to start again.”
Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost added: “As for Daniil’s return, I believe he deserves another chance in Formula 1. Daniil is a high skilled driver with fantastic natural speed, which he has proven several times in his career.
“There were some difficult situations he had to face in the past, but I’m convinced that having had time to mature as a person away from the races will help him show his undeniable capabilities on track.
“We’ll push very hard to provide him with a good package, and I feel the best is yet to come from his side. That’s why we are happy to welcome him back to our team, to start a successful season together.”
Toro Rosso are yet to confirm Kvyat’s partner for 2019. Brendon Hartley currently drives for the team but his position is “under threat” the BBC adds.
2019 drivers confirmed
- Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas
- Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc
- Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly
- Renault: Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg
- Haas: Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean
- McLaren: Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris
- Racing Point Force India: TBC
- Toro Rosso: Daniil Kvyat / TBC
- Sauber: Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi
- Williams: TBC
