Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has confirmed that Daniil Kvyat is one candidate for the Toro Rosso Formula 1 team in 2019.
Kvyat’s single-seater career was guided by Red Bull and he graduated to Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2014 off the back of clinching the GP3 title.
Kvyat was drafted up to Red Bull just a year after making his debut in the wake of Sebastian Vettel’s switch to Ferrari, but was replaced by Max Verstappen just four rounds into the 2016 campaign.
Kvyat remained in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso but was comfortably shaded by Carlos Sainz Jr., and was replaced by Pierre Gasly for last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix.
Kvyat started just one more event, when Gasly prioritised the Super Formula title decider over the US Grand Prix, after which he was axed by the company.
The Russian found refuge at Ferrari, taking up a role of development driver, which has included simulator work but no on-track running.
Toro Rosso is in need of at least one driver for 2019 after Gasly was confirmed as the replacement for Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo.
Toro Rosso earlier this year attempted to recruit Lando Norris in place of Brendon Hartley, but an approach was rebuked by McLaren, for whom the Briton holds the role of reserve driver.
None of Red Bull’s junior drivers currently qualify for a Formula 1’s Super License.
“Well there’s always rumours this time of year, you know, Monza being a hot-bed of that,” Horner told Sky Sports.
“I think the situation with Toro Rosso is pretty open so I think everything is being considered so he’s one of several drivers that are on the list.”
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