During the Italian Grand Prix a rumour in the paddock began to circulate that Daniil Kvyat was set to lose his Toro Rosso drive with immediate effect.
The rumour appeared to be based on solid evidence as 20-year-old French driver Pierre Gasly, who currently leads the GP2 Series after three victories, told Spanish media that he would replace Kvyat for the Singapore Grand Prix.
He claimed he was told the news via a representative of French manufacturer Renault, who are engine providers for sister team Red Bull Racing.
‘Twenty minutes ago they told me ‘Yeah, you are going to drive in Singapore’. Really? Let’s hope it’s true. But in the end I need to see Helmut.’ he told Spanish channel Movistar as quoted by motorsport.com.
Unfortunately for Gasly his information appeared to be very wrong, as Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko was clearly surprised and somewhat angered when he was informed of the comments live on Sky Sports.
He later said: ‘Kvyat will definitely be in the Toro Rosso in Singapore, Also for the rest of the season.
‘I have to check on this story. I just heard it here for the first time. I cannot imagine that Gasly is so stupid to make these comments.’
The news will come as a relief for Russian Kvyat, who has been through the ringer since he was unceremoniously dumped by Red Bull Racing in favour of Max Verstappen and dropped back into the Toro Rosso team.
His future remains uncertain however, certainly beyond the remainder of the 2016 Formula One World Championship, but all is apparently not lost.
‘When we have enough information and enough knowledge on Kvyat [we will make a decision for 2017].
‘At the moment he has so much bad luck, on technical, that it would not be fair to judge it at the moment.’ Marko added.
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