I did everything absolutely right - Kvyat

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Daniil Kvyat believes he would have once again out-scored former team mate Daniel Ricciardo this season had he been given the chance to complete the year with Red Bull.

The Russian driver was demoted back down to Toro Rosso in an unexpected swap with Max Verstappen. The move proved a stroke of genius on the part of Red Bull's Helmut Marko with the Dutch teenager winning the Spanish GP in brilliant style.

Initially contained in his views on the matter on the days following his return to Toro Rosso, Kvyat is now more outspoken, believing not only that the swap was unjustified but also diverging from those who say that he arribed at Red Bull a year too soon.

"The circumstances in which I approached Red Bull Racing [were that] the car was worse than the last year," he said.

"It is easy for first year drivers at the time to look amazing. I believe the circumstances back then were not favourable but then they started to get better and better.

"The second half of the season for me at Red Bull Racing, it was good, stable. I was matching and beating Daniel, I scored more points than Daniel and it would have been the same this year again.

"All the things about a 'too early' approach are bullshit."

With the exception of his podium finish in China, where Kvyat faced the wrath of Sebastian Vettel for a bold but legitimate first corner overtaking maneuver, there's no denying Kvyat's performance at Red Bull had been under par.

But The Russian begs to differ however.

"I was performing more than enough well. I brought them the first podium of the year. Our pace was getting better and better.

"They got what they expected from me. That is all I can really say. So I think I did everything right, absolutely everything right."

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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.