Daniil Kvyat says his demotion back to Toro Rosso from Red Bull ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix was a “big shock”, adding he does not feel he moved to the top team too soon.
After a messy Russian Grand Prix, where he collided with Sebastian Vettel twice, it was announced that Max Verstappen and Kvyat will swap seats for the remainder of the 2016 season.
“Well, I think obviously the decision in a way was a bit of a shock also for myself,” Kvyat, who was watching Game of Thrones when he found out the news, said during Thursday’s FIA press conference.
“It is what it is at the moment and I think I’ve always been giving my answers on the track and I think nothing will change. I will try to give as loud an answer as possible on the track.
“There are 17 races remaining, I’ve come back to Toro Rosso, the team for which I raced in 2104, a team I really like a lot, the team that I’ve felt over the last few days is giving me a very warm welcome, which I’m very grateful for already, now I can feel the atmosphere is very positive in the team.
“The goals are clear – for the team and for myself – and I’ll be pushing absolute limits on the track and I will be giving my answers there.”
When asked if he was moved up to Red Bull too soon, he replied: “I don’t think so, I really don’t think so. Like I said, if we look at what happened three weeks ago, or whatever, I was standing on the podium.
“Then suddenly there were a few decisions made around – but like I said, the bosses make them and I have nothing else but to accept them and do my best job possible now in the team I am with – and it is Toro Rosso. It should be OK – but I think I have done everything correctly until now. And nothing will change from my side.”
