29
KVYAT’S MOVE
A
FTER A POOR START IN
GP3, D
ANIIL
K
VYAT GRADUALLY MADE UP LOST GROUND
,
WINNING THE
TITLE IN THE DECISIVE RACE IN
A
BU
D
HABI
. A
N IMPERIOUS PROGRESS THAT OPENED THE DOORS
TO A CAREER IN
F.1
AFTER HE WAS SELECTED BY
T
ORO
R
OSSO FOR NEXT YEAR
'
S CHAMPIONSHIP
D
aniil Kvyat is not only a new name in F.1, but also in GP3.
In fact, the young Russian from the Junior Red Bull
program took everyone by surprise with his extraordinary
recovery in the GP3 championship, which was featuring the new
Dallara for the first time. The 19 year old Kvyat, a native of
Moscow, but in recent years a resident of Rome, won three races
and put together a series of good finishes during the second half
of the season that made all the difference. The way he overtook
Facundo Regalia was nothing short of arrogant and during the
last weekend in Abu Dhabi, Kvyat wrapped up the championship
in commanding style, taking pole position and winning the first
race. And at the same time the doors opened on a potentially
glittering career in F.1, when Red Bull took the decision to
promote Daniil to the world championship by signing him up
for the Toro Rosso team in place of Daniel Ricciardo, who has
moved up to the main team as Sebastian Vettel’s partner.
“We got off to a slow start in the championship; I found it hard to
get to grips with the Pirelli tyres and the various vehicle trims.
Then, at the collective test sessions in Budapest during the early
stages of the championship, we realised how to solve the problem,
and everything started to click. I also participated in the FIA F.3
European Championship and this helped me to gain experience on
the track and increase my self-assurance. We dragged ourselves
back into contention with Regalia and the other drivers in the
general classification race after race, one step at a time, right up
till the final race. Now I feel ready for F.1, I’m not anxious or
afraid, in fact I’m convinced I’ll be able to handle everything it
throws at me”
.
