Kvyat’s Ferrari experience “a benefit” for Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso technical boss Jody Egginton says Daniil Kvyat’s year at Ferrari and away from Formula 1 racing has provided both the Russian driver and the team with useful gains which are already being felt at pre-season testing.

Kvyat returns to Toro Rosso this year looking to kick-start his F1 career after being dropped by the Red Bull set-up in 2017.

The Russian driver spent last season at Ferrari as a simulator driver, gaining intimate details of the Italian manufacturer’s operations, which has provided fresh input at Toro Ross according to Egginton.

The Toro Rosso technical head, who officially takes over the chief role from McLaren-bound James Key next month, believes Kvyat has also been revitalised by a year out of the F1 spotlight and is a different driver to the one who last competed for the team at the 2017 United States Grand Prix.

“He spent a lot of time in the simulator at Ferrari and that is a benefit to us,” Egginton said. “When a driver comes back after a time away, he has new experiences and a new view, and also Dany’s time away he’s had time to reflect on a few things and really focus.

“His feedback has been really useful because he has good references from his former times with us. He has been very clear on what he feels from the car initially.

“He is fanatically motivated and he is doing a really good job. We really appreciate his input. It is nice to have him in with some previous experience, reminding us of a few things, and giving solid feedback and working fantastically well with Alex as well. He is a big help to the team.”

Egginton says the demands from both sides of the renewed partnership between Kvyat and Toro Rosso have been made clear and has been impressed by the 24-year-old’s comeback during pre-season testing.

Kvyat, teaming up with rookie F1 driver Alex Albon for 2019, completed 214 laps across his two days in the STR14 at the opening test at Circuit de Catalunya setting the third-fastest lap time of 1m 17.704s.

“He has come back in and really focused and dedicated,” he said. “So we are seeing all the good things about Dany and his fantastic talent combined with a real focus to come back and get the job done. So at the moment we are happy.

“He knows the team, the team know him, and our expectations have been made very clear to him and he has made his expectations very clear to us. We know him but it is like a fresh start. It is a good opportunity for Dany and the team.”