Kvyat: "Would be nice to be Verstappen's teammate sometime"
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
AlphaTauri driver Daniil Kvyat has had some very talented teammates in the past but said he would love to share a garage with Max Verstappen one day, with the Dutchman active at AlphaTauri's parent team Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.
Verstappen famously replaced Kvyat at Red Bull back in 2016 after the Russian had a very poor start to the season, and the now-22-year-old has never looked back since. He won on his debut at the Spanish Grand Prix while Kvyat went down a downward spiral at Toro Rosso, eventually frozen out of the program entirely by the end of 2017.
Kvyat fought his way back into the fold for the 2019 season after a year away from F1 and had a very solid comeback year, highlighted by an extremely unlikely podium at the German Grand Prix as he finished third.
Speaking to Aaron Deckers of RN365, Kvyat looked back at all his teammates while also highlighting the one he'd love to be partnered up with.
"I've had some strong teammates in the past," the 25-year-old explained.
"Carlos Sainz was my teammate in Formula Renault and [Daniel] Ricciardo at Red Bull. That was an interesting year, because Daniel had beaten Sebastian Vettel the year prior at Red Bull. All eyes where on the Aussie but I was able to beat him that year in terms of points by the end of the season."
The one Red Bull driver Kvyat never has been partnered up with is that youngster who replaced him; Verstappen. Although he quickly recognises the very good position Verstappen is in, he would still fancy being partnered up with the eight-time Grand Prix winner.
"It would definitely be nice to be Verstappen's teammate sometime. He's in a good place, at a team who do everything for him and on top of that, he's mentally very strong. That's why it would be interesting to be his teammate."
Both Kvyat and Alex Albon's deals expire at the end of 2020, so if he has a good enough year, Kvyat could potentially get snapped up by Red Bull again and actually get partnered up by Verstappen. Who will get that coveted seat next to the Dutchman?