Tost confirms Kvyat exit from Red Bull programme

Daniil Kvyat has completely left Red Bull's Formula 1 programme following his latest dropping from Toro Rosso for the Mexican Grand Prix, with his departure being confirmed by team boss Franz Tost on Friday.

Kvyat was initially dropped following the Singapore Grand Prix after scoring just four points all season long, but returned for last weekend's race in the United States alongside debutant Brendon Hartley.

With Pierre Gasly back in action for Mexico after being tied up in Super Formula for the Austin race weekend, Toro Rosso opted to retain Hartley, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirming earlier this week that Kvyat would not return this year.

Speaking in Friday's FIA press conference ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Tost confirmed that Kvyat had completely left Red Bull's racing programme, leaving the Russian free to pursue other avenues.

"He is not anymore with Red Bull and definitely free to decide whatever he wants to do," Tost confirmed.

He is not anymore with Toro Rosso or Red Bull."

Tost also acknowledged there was a good chance Toro Rosso's current line-up of Gasly and Hartley would be in place for the 2018 season, with the final three races of this year giving the team an opportunity to evaluate both.

"Both are Red Bull drivers, both are high skill drivers, fast drivers," Tost said.

"I want to test them for the rest of the season because there's a high possibility this will be the driver line-up for 2018."