Verstappen is considered by many to be a future Formula One world champion and Red Bull had been expected to promote him anyway at the end of the season. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Russian driver crashed into Sebastien Vettel’s Ferrari twice at Sochi. He was punished by dropping down to Verstappen’s car in Red Bull’s junior Toro Rosso team.
Verstappen, who made history by becoming Formula One’s youngest driver last year at the age of 17, will partner Daniel Ricciardo from the Spanish Grand Prix next week.
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“I cannot wait for that special moment to happen,” said Verstappen as he looked forward to the Barcelona race. “I’ll have the chance to learn a lot from the top team that is Red Bull Racing.”
The blunt move by Red Bull surprised many drivers.
Kvyat returns to Toro Rosso after only replacing Vettel at Red Bull in 2015.
Really? one bad race and Kyvat's dropped, what about the podium in the previous race? #Shortmemories https://t.co/8YDBZPDP3v
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) May 5, 2016
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However, Red Bull believe the time is right for Verstappen to make the step up. “Max has proven to be an outstanding young talent. His performance at Toro Rosso has been impressive so far and we are pleased to give him the opportunity to drive for Red Bull Racing,” said Red Bull principal Christian Horner. “Dany will be able to continue his development at Toro Rosso, in a team that he is familiar with, giving him the chance to regain his form and show his potential.”
Two weeks earlier, Vettel had accused Kvyat of diving ‘like a torpedo’ into his car at the Chinese Grand Prix.
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Red Bull senior consultant Helmut Marko, who oversees the team for Red Bull owner Dieter Mateschitz, had made his displeasure clear.
“Let’s put it this way,” said the Austrian. “Kvyat was over-motivated. Braking too late once and hitting another car would be acceptable in front of his home crowd, but this doesn’t apply for the second crash.”
Verstappen, the son of Jos Verstappen, a teammate of German legend Michael Schumacher at Benetton in 1994, finished 12th in the 2015 world championship with 49 points.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2016.
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