After Daniil Kvyat’s misjudgement at the start of the Russian Grand Prix, speculation is now rife among fans and members of the paddock alike over the future of the Russian racer.
From a level-headed and entirely neutral perspective, the mistake at Turn 2 in Sochi is in no way indicative of Kvyat’s style of driving.
One comment made on social media post-race slammed Kvyat as Formula 1’s new Pastor Maldonado, which is completely unjustified after just one mistake.
However, the presence of one person has helped to fuel these rumours about Kvyat’s future: Max Verstappen.
Since he made his debut last season with Toro Rosso, Verstappen has taken to the sport like a duck to water, impressing everyone in his path whilst making veteran racers such as Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso look somewhat normal in comparison.
Many were dubious of his immediate success in the sport, with some keen to wait until his second season before labelling him the next Michael Schumacher.
So far this season Verstappen has continued from where he left off last year, completing every racing lap until his mechanical failure in Sochi forced him to retire. It was his first DNF since the British Grand Prix last season.
With such a competitive and fiery attitude at a young age, Red Bull are understandably keen to make sure Verstappen is “promoted” within its family as his talent quickly out-grows the abilities of his Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso.
There’s no denying that if Red Bull do not act quickly, then the Dutchman could well be persuaded away by another team completely, especially with Red Bull still a fair distance off the pace at the front on a regular basis.
If Red Bull were to act quickly and offer Verstappen that promotion in a bid to keep him in the family, then either Daniel Ricciardo or Kvyat will face the chop to make way for the Dutchman’s ascension.
Unfortunately for Kvyat the decision looks automatic from the outside of the team, with Ricciardo essentially ousting Sebastian Vettel during his first season with the outfit in 2014.
The Australian racer has proven himself a race winner for the team, whereas Kvyat only has a small number of visits to the podium.
Admittedly Red Bull has been unable to provide a race winning machine since Kvyat’s arrival at Red Bull, but you can’t seriously expect the team to use such logic when deciding on whether to retain Kvyat or promote unquestionably one of the biggest young talents the sport has seen in decades.
Simply retaining the same line-up at both Red Bull and Toro Rosso for 2017 is practically unthinkable.
If Verstappen somehow wasn’t persuaded to join another outfit, then he could risk falling into the same category as the likes of Sebastien Buemi, Jean-Eric Vergne and Jaime Alguersuari. I don’t think Verstappen has any wishes of becoming a reserve driver or competing in Formula E just yet!
The alternative for Verstappen is jumping ship altogether, just like Vettel. Who would want Verstappen behind the wheel of their car for 2017? Well the answer is very simple – everyone!
Mercedes has shown interest, although signing Verstappen would result in the German marque either dropping Nico Rosberg or Lewis Hamilton, an outcome which would render practically every sports fan in the world utterly speechless.
Ferrari has also shown interest in Verstappen, and the Scuderia has one driver whose contract comes to a conclusion at the end of the season – Kimi Raikkonen.
However, the Finn is currently third in the drivers’ championship and since his retirement at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix has finished in the top five at every race, including a charge to second in Bahrain.
Despite these stats, it is well known Vettel has suffered immense bad luck this season and had it not been for Alonso’s monumental shunt in Australia would probably have powered himself to victory for the Scuderia.
Imagine it: Vettel partnered with Verstappen in a Ferrari team still yet to peak. Whilst Vettel’s knowledge and prowess would offer Ferrari the ability to continue challenging Mercedes at the top, the German could also act as a mentor to Verstappen and smooth over his rough edges.
When you think about it, Verstappen has a lot in common with Gilles Villeneuve. The ambitious French-Canadian started his career in a whirl of screeching tyres, but reading between the lines many – including The Old Man himself – knew that beneath the rough exterior was a driver that could power any team to greatness.
A Vettel/Verstappen partnership would be fearful, especially if the Scuderia managed to produce a chassis and engine capable to thwarting Mercedes on a regular basis.
Such a partnership doesn’t necessarily have to exist though, or at least not for several years. All Red Bull needs to do is act quickly and smartly. It may well upset the applecart, but when you have a driver like Verstappen at your disposal, you’d be ludicrous to keep him in a B-team.
This is certainly not a call for Kvyat to be dropped entirely, the Russian racer also has raw pace, as was evident during his championship winning GP3 Series campaign. But with only two seats available at Red Bull, it seems very likely that he would be forced to make way for Verstappen. Let’s face it – Helmut Marko would be distraught to see both Vettel and Verstappen in red.
