Red Bull has replaced Danii Kvyat for the current Formula 1 season with Max Verstappen, starting the Spanish Grand Prix. The Russian driver will drive for their junior team, Toro Rosso, for rest of the 2016 season.
At the last weekend’s GP in Russia, Kvyat hit the four-time world champion and former Red Bull driver, Sebastian Vettel, twice on the first lap knocking him out of the race, and that seems to have triggered his demotion.
Max Verstappen taking over the duties has been driving for Toro Rosso and is rated as one of the best budding talents in the sport. The 18-year-old will join Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull, while Kvyat will partner with Carlos Sainz Jr at Toro Rosso.
Announcing the updates, Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner said, "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. We are in the unique position to have all four drivers across Red Bull and Toro Rosso under long term contracts with Red Bull, so we have the flexibility to move them between the two teams."
"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," Horner added.
