Sainz backs 'talented' Kvyat to return to F1

Carlos Sainz says that he expects to see Russian driver Daniil Kvyat return to the Formula 1 grid in the future.

"I do feel Dany is one of the most talented drivers I’ve ever raced against,” Sainz told Motorsport.com. The pair were team mates at Toro Rosso in 2016 and 2017.

“When he left Formula 1, I don’t know why, I had this feeling that he one day he would make it back," he continued.

Currently on loan to Renault, the Spanish driver moves to a new full-time role with McLaren in 2019 replacing Fernando Alonso.

"Somehow [Dany] always finds a way back," Sainz said. "Back to performance, or back to F1, or back to the category, or back to the Red Bull programme.

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“I actually told my manager, I told my dad: ‘I have this feeling that this guy is not over yet, that he is going to come back’."

Kvyat made his début with Toro Rosso in 2014 and was promoted to the senior squad the following season. However a number of on-track incidents saw him eclipsed by Max Verstappen, and he demoted back to Toro Rosso in 2016.

Kvyat stayed with the team until the 2017 United States Grand Prix, when Helmut Marko confirmed that he had been dropped altogether from the Red Bull driver development programme.

Since then, Kvyat has been working as a simulator driver for the Ferrari team.

However he's now believed to be one of the top names in the running for an open seat at his old squad, after confirmation that current lead driver Pierre Gasly is off to Red Bull in place of Daniel Ricciardo.

"It looks like he has a good chance and I would be very happy for him if he does come back," commented Sainz.

Marko himself admitted that he viewed Kvyat more favourably now than he had done a year ago. “I would say he is more mature," he said.

"But we are not in a hurry with Toro Rosso,” Marko continued. “We will solve our driver problems. We have a big list of names, and we’ll see.”

Ferrari protege Antonio Giovinazzi has been one of the names linked to Toro Rosso, but Marko appeared to rule him out of contention.

“I think Giovinazzi is going somewhere else,” he said, suggesting that he is assuming the Italian will be driving for Sauber next season.

That would further imply that he would be replacing Charles Leclerc, who in turn would presumably be Ferrari-bound in place of Kimi Raikkonen if rumours are to be believed.

Marko has also ruled out a move for Mercedes junior driver Esteban Ocon who looks set to be ousted from Force India in favour of Lance Stroll.

“We are not keen to take a Mercedes driver," said Marko, which will also be bad news for current Formula 2 front runner George Russell who has long-standing ties to the Silver Arrows.

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