Kvyat eyes performance lift in second leg of season

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Dany Kvyat is targeting better results in the second half of the season after a tough first part of his 2017 campaign with Toro Rosso.

The Russian driver has scored only a handful of points since the year kicked off in Australia compared with team mate Carlos Sainz's seven top-ten finishes.

Frustrated by his lack of results, and what he feels as the persistent scrutiny of the stewards which has earned him penalties and points putting him close to a race ban, the Russian rues technical issues and minor troubles which have undermined his efforts so far.

"The season opening was quite promising," Kvyat said on his official website.

"I believe that in general, we had many promising weekends, but we just didn't manage to get the maximal outcome.

"It was either technical issues, or I got in trouble during the first lap, which happened twice, what prevented us from scoring more points. Many times we had minor issues here and there which damaged us big time.

"But in situations like that, you just need to be patient. Sooner or later, the result will come: we have all the necessary ingredients.

"So, we just need to continue doing our work, trying to have cleaner Saturdays and Sundays and the reward will be there.

"Everything is under control, and you need to be pleased with your job, enjoy doing it. That's the recipe."

Sainz: relationship with Kvyat has 'healed' since Silverstone

The 23-year-old is determined to lift his performance when the action resumes at the end of the month in Spa, not only to improve his track record this year but to also convince his Red Bull employer to extend his contract with Toro Rosso for 2018, a matter which has yet to be settled.

"I believe we'll have a good chance to show ourselves already in Spa," he said.

"Probably it would be tougher in Monza because high top speed on the straights is not our joker. But after that, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia: we should be competitive on all of those tracks.

"Our car is best at the braking and on the slow circuits with a couple of fast corners.

"We keep developing the car, our competitors make progress as well, so there are chances on any circuits. Every race is a new challenge."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.