Daniil Kvyat believes unearthing one-lap gains have been influential in Toro Rosso’s recent upturn in Formula 1 results.
Toro Rosso scored only four points across the opening four grands prix but has added 12 to its tally across the last two events in Spain and Monaco.
Kvyat has been ever-present in Q3 since Azerbaijan while rookie team-mate Alexander Albon made his first appearance inside the top 10 in Monaco.
Kvyat and Albon went on to record seventh and eighth in race trim in Monaco, with the points lifting the team to seventh in the Constructors’ Championship.
“We've been progressing, you know, in qualifying since the beginning of the year,” said Kvyat.
“It wasn't coming to me, but I think especially because I was a year and a half off I was a little bit not there 100 percent.
“Now, since… already China was a very good qualifying, we did first steps forward, and then in the last three we were really competitive on Saturdays as well.
“We need to keep it up. I think it’s very good. You cannot deny it.
“For us, the midfield team, it is a very good sign of a competitive car, so for us it’s really important.
“Everyone in the team needs this. It is always better to get there [to Q3] and it is a good thing for me, good thing for the team, so we are satisfied with this.”
Kvyat’s seventh in Monaco marked his best result in Toro Rosso colours, across all three stints with the team, while Albon’s eighth represented his highest placing in his nascent Formula 1 career.
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