Marko confident Kvyat has solved mental challenges

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko feels Daniil Kvyat has matured during his year away from Formula 1 and has solved some of the mental challenges he previously faced ahead of his return to Toro Rosso in 2019.

Kvyat was dropped by Red Bull’s senior team in 2016 and twice mid-season by Toro Rosso last year, before leaving the Red Bull programme and taking up a development role with Ferrari.

Toro Rosso announced on Saturday that Kvyat will make a shock return to the team in 2019 in a race seat, replacing the Red Bull-bound Pierre Gasly.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Marko explained the decision to give Kvyat a third chance with Toro Rosso next year, saying the Russian had shown signs of change through his year out.

“Daniil changed. He is a far more mature personality,” Marko said.

“He was working with a different team, so he saw the whole atmosphere and working programme, and he also found out how difficult it is to get a Formula 1 seat.

“We stayed in contact all of the time. He was well-informed what [Daniel] Ricciardo was going to do. He knew it before most other people knew it. He did a smart call just before Ricciardo called me.

“We will give him a third chance because we always believed he's very fast. But his mental problems, I think he has solved. He is a far more mature driver, and I'm sure we will see some very positive races from him.”

With Kvyat confirmed, Toro Rosso now has one vacant seat for 2019, which is currently occupied by Brendon Hartley.

Red Bull explored options to replace Hartley mid-season earlier this year, with the New Zealander scoring two points this season. By comparison, teammate Gasly has scored 28 points.

Asked if there was anything Hartley could do to keep his seat for 2019, Marko said: “Beat Gasly.

“There are five or six races left. He knows it.”