Kvyat: Red Bull in survival mode over engine situation

Daniil Kvyat admits Red Bull is in survival mode over its engine situation with the Milton Keynes-based team using a third ICE on the Russian’s Renault-powered car during this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old progress has been blighted by poor reliability so far this year after a gearbox issue prevented him from starting the race in Melbourne and an ICE failure curtailed his efforts in China last Sunday.

Kvyat’s Friday at Sakhir was devoid of any drama as the Toro Rosso graduate set the ninth fastest time in both free practice sessions, racking up 40 laps along the way.

Although Kvyat admits being on his third internal combustion engine is not comfortable, the 2013 GP3 Series champion says Red Bull has no choice but to deal with the situation and face penalties later in the season.

“It’s not great but we have what we have so we just stick to this,” said Kvyat. “We… we survive. But it’s going to be hard of course.

“(Penalties are) going to happen, that’s for sure. But when and where, it’s hard to predict.”

Asked whether his first two ICEs could be used again this year, Kvyat remains unsure of the answer but also decides to take the whole situation in his stride.

“It looks like if we are changing them usually it’s not looking great. But who knows? Maybe they will resurrect. They will get alive again.

“Maybe (the Bahrain) engine will last the whole championship!”

Click here for Friday's gallery from the Bahrain Grand Prix 

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

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Marko: ‘No chance at all’ for Red Bull in Las Vegas

Helmut Marko believes that Red Bull and Max Verstappen are unlikely to challenge for victory…

6 hours ago

GM revives bid to join F1 with accelerated talks for 2026 entry

Automotive giant General Motors is reportedly back in the game as a potential entrant in…

7 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Thursday's action in pictures

The opening day of running at the Las Vegas GP was a smooth but chilly…

9 hours ago

Williams' headaches persist into Vegas practice

Williams is continuing to fight uphill battles this weekend in Las Vegas as a knock-on…

10 hours ago

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

11 hours ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

12 hours ago