Why Daniil Kvyat shouldn't replace Pierre Gasly at Red Bull - Jacques Villeneuve

Red Bull

Why Kvyat shouldn't replace Gasly at Red Bull - Villeneuve

What would you do?

Matthew Scott

Wednesday 31 July 2019 11:51

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Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve says Daniil Kvyat is not the man to replace the struggling Pierre Gasly at Red Bull, despite the Russian's redemptive campaign back at Toro Rosso.

Having retired from a German Grand Prix that team-mate Max Verstappen won, Gasly is now 107 points behind the Dutchman in the drivers' championship.

Although Dr Helmut Marko says a change will not be made before the end of 2019, Gasly's security in the team is under serious threat, with Kvyat having been mentioned as a potential replacement after a string of mature performances, which culminated with a fine third-placed finish at Hockenheim.

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However, with Kvyat having previously been kicked out of the Red Bull senior team, Villeneuve says it would be the wrong move.

Villeneuve told Motorsport.com: "They [Red Bull] have already had him, why would they do that? That's not the way to go.

"It's very different to drive in a big or a small team, some of the drivers are incredible in small teams, and they are not in big teams, and it happens even with 10 years of experience.

"You know, we even saw that happen with experienced drivers, they won races in a small team, go to a big team, struggle to win, go back to a small team and start winning again. I don't know how."

As far as Gasly is concerned, Villeneuve made few excuses for his performances, although did suggest the Frenchman was unfortunate with his Hockenheim retirement.

He said: "It's more than difficult. He's really, really far away, he's not where he should be, it's hard.

"Max was leading the race, and he [Gasly] was sixth or seventh, behind the two Toro Rossos. He was unlucky because [Alexander] Albon went overboard and Albon should be severely punished for his manoeuvre.

"Red Bull and Helmut Marko have been much more aggressive with their drivers in the past, and it just shows that they do not see anyone emerging in their ranks, so they do not know by who will replace him."