Kvyat returns to Toro Rosso alongside Gasly

With the announcement of Carlos Sainz replacing Jolyon Palmer at Renault from the United States Grand Prix, Daniil Kvyat has been called up to return to the Toro Rosso line-up alongside the driver who replaced him Pierre Gasly for the remaining four races of 2017.

Kvyat was demoted from Toro Rosso after the Singapore race due to a run of poor results with Gasly making his F1 debut in Malaysia before retaining his race seat for this weekend in Japan.

With Palmer being replaced by Sainz from the US race, Toro Rosso has handed Kvyat a second chance this year and is expected to stay with the team for the final four races of the year in America, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

It also means Pierre Gasly will effectively sacrifice his shot at securing the Super Formula drivers’ title in his rookie season as the United States Grand Prix clashes with the Japanese series season finale at Suzuka in two weeks time.

The French driver, who had been enjoying his rookie Super Formula campaign while acting as Red Bull Racing reserve driver in 2017, is half a point off title leader Hiroaki Ishiura ahead of the double-header final round.