Toro Rosso switch like coming back home - Kvyat

Daniil Kvyat described returning to Toro Rosso as like coming back home after his first day back in the car during practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Red Bull opted to replace Kvyat with Max Verstappen ahead of this weekend's race, meaning the Russian driver had to re-join the team he drove for in 2014. Asked if returning to Toro Rosso was like coming back home, Kvyat replied: "Yeah, it is.

"Back in 2014 when I was leaving it felt like I was leaving home and now it feels like I came back. But it’s not easy, home is always changing - two years ago I was gone and Toro Rosso is a grown up team now. I now need to adjust to their references in terms of al the chassis work, engine work and so on, and find how to drive and where the limit is - that doesn’t happen unfortunately in one session."

FP2 saw Kvyat half a second off new team-mate Carlos Sainz but he believes different tyre approaches were to blame for the gap.

"I think the general feeling was ok. I didn’t warm up my tyres in the second session so it was the wrong call from me, tried a different strategy which didn’t pay off. But at least we know where it’s all laying, the general feeling with the car is growing each lap.

"There are a few things we can cut the sharp ends in some areas, work on the details, and I think Toro Rosso has a very competitive package to be honest. One car warmed up the tyres, one car didn’t warm up the tyres and the one that did warm up the tyres looked very competitive. Hopefully I will join the competitive pack tomorrow."

And Kvyat was encouraged by the drivability of the 2015 Ferrari power unit having been in a Renault-powered Red Bull for the past two seasons.

"Generally I think Ferrari has very big potential as well, it’s a very smooth power unit and I was very pleased with how it works. It felt like it’s all in all more balanced behind yourself. Of course you still have to be able to adjust it for the grid, so the chassis is always dependent. But then there are more specific details in the power unit of Renault that are quite interesting as well. I think having driven both I can actually bring something interesting.

"The work is already ongoing and we are finding more and more interesting, both in power unit and on the chassis side. I would like to finally feel the car when the tyres are fully ready, so that’s something we missed today, but we know the direction we are moving and tomorrow should be not an easy fix but if we put in enough effort in it everything should be in the right window."

REPORT: Rosberg heads Raikkonen by 0.25s in FP2

Drivers react to Red Bull seat swap