How Ricciardo helped Kvyat win F1 place back

Helmut Marko has revealed that knowledge of Daniel Ricciardo's thought process helped Daniil Kvyat win a place back in the Red Bull family. Kvyat was confirmed as Pierre Gasly's Toro Rosso replacement on Saturday at the Russian Grand Prix, securing a third stint in the team.

Kvyat debuted in F1 with Toro Rosso in 2014 and was promoted to Red Bull as Sebastian Vettel's replacement just a year later.

However, a ruinous 2016 Russian Grand Prix, in which he twice crashed with Vettel on the opening lap, prompted Red Bull to replace Kvyat with Max Verstappen and move him back to Toro Rosso, where he struggled to cope with a loss of confidence.

He was replaced in the team at the tail-end of last season and released from his Red Bull deal, signing to a development role with Ferrari, but Marko has revealed how the Russian's relationship with former team-mate Ricciardo helped him make his way back once the Australian confirmed his move to Renault.

"Dani changed," Marko told Sky Sports. "He is a far more mature personality.

"He moved to a different team, he saw the team atmosphere working and he found out how difficult it is to get a Formula 1 seat.

"We stayed in contact. He was well informed what Ricciardo was going to do, he knew it before most people knew it. He made a smart call just before Ricciardo called me.

"We give him a third chance because we always believed he was very fast. His mental problems, he has solved. He's a far more mature driver and we will see better races from him.

"He went to Ferrari and thought there was a chance, but he realised he was not in the frame. He started talking more with us and I'm sure we will see the real Kvyat again

Marko was blunt on what Gasly's current team-mate Brendon Hartley must do if he is to salvage a 2019 seat at Toro Rosso, despite an underwhelming capaign to date.

"Beat Gasly. Five races or six left. He knows it."

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