Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost says he wants the squad to retain Daniil Kvyat and Alexander Albon as its Formula 1 driver line-up into 2020.
Toro Rosso underwent several changes in recent years as a line-up of Kvyat and Carlos Sainz Jr. for most of 2017 was replaced by Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley, who stayed for 2018.
Kvyat was drafted back for 2019, in the wake of Gasly’s move to Red Bull, while Hartley was axed in favour of Formula 2 front-runner Albon.
Kvyat has so far claimed five top 10 finishes this year while rookie Albon, whose first Formula 1 experience came during pre-season testing, has reached the points on three occasions.
Red Bull currently does not have a junior driver with the requisite Super Licence points for 2020 – though F3 front-runner Juri Vips could be line to reach 40 points as it stands – while power unit partner Honda, which is keen long-term to bring in a Japanese driver, is also lacking a junior racer that it deems ready.
Toro Rosso’s owners Red Bull will make the final call when it comes to the Faenza-based squad’s line-up, but Tost wants to head into next year with an unchanged pairing.
“We have two really good drivers,” said Tost.
“Daniil we knew from the past that he is fast, he is also matured now and he is showing a very, very good performance.
“Alex, for me, is the positive surprise of the young drivers, together with [Lando] Norris.
“I think that he will have a very strong second half of the season because then he knows the car quite well, he knows what’s going on in Formula 1, and if we provide him with a proper package, I think that he will come up with really good results.
“I personally hope that we can continue with these two drivers but this in the end is a decision from Red Bull, and I think the decision will not be made before the end of September/the beginning of October.”
