Kvyat puts in a well-timed impressive performance

©WRI2

40

Dany Kvyat did himself no harm yesterday in Austin by putting in perhaps his best drive of the season with Toro Rosso.

The Russian driver, who was benched for two races to allow Red Bull to evaluate Pierre Gasly, has yet to receive clarity on his future, and is seeking talks with his employer to know where he stands for the remainder of the season and for 2018.

In the interim however, Kvyat put his head down and enjoyed his day of racing in Austin, where he scored his first point since the Spanish Grand Prix last spring.

"My best race of the season for sure! I'm very happy about the result and I did everything I could to bring the points home," the 23-year-old said.

Kvyat wants 'clarifications' on his future from Red Bull

"I really enjoyed myself, it was a very clean and enjoyable race and overall a good job by the team. We kept it together with limited running and we still managed to get into the points.

"I came here with a fresh mindset, we shuffled some things in the team to give everyone some new motivation and some new focuses. Everything has been working fantastically this weekend and the race was just great."

Red Bull's Helmut Marko now has three driver options to contend with, starting in Mexico next weekend, with Kvyat, Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley all set for a painful game of musical chairs.

Kvyat admitted he likely gave it his best shot this weekend, and hopes his performance will sway any impending decision in his favour.

"I've done a perfect Friday, a perfect Saturday and an even more perfect Sunday, so I don't know what else I can do."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.