Kvyat praises changes to steering for improved F1 form
Daniil Kvyat says changes made at the AlphaTauri Formula 1 team to improve his feel through the steering have been key to a recent uplift in form
The Russian struggled to fully feel at ease with his AT01 in the early part of the season, and only scored two points in the first six races while team-mate Pierre Gasly shone, reaching Q3 four times.
However, a big push from his team to make changes from the Belgian Grand Prix helped improve the feedback Kvyat got from the steering, and immediately made him much more comfortable.
He scored three consecutive top ten finishes at Monza, Mugello and Sochi, and recently recorded his best finish of the season with fourth place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which followed his first Q3 appearance of the season.
Explaining how his season has developed, Kvyat praised the way AlphaTauri responded to his feedback and said he now feels able to show his best form.
"When I started the season I wasn't entirely in sync with the car, and I had a not-so-great feeling with the steering wheel," he told Autosport.
"We had to change a few things on the car around that area for me to gain as much feeling as possible.
"It meant we had to give up some things, and also it meant that we had to learn some features of the car again, because we changed things for me to have a better feeling.
"But from there on, I think things started to go in a lot better way.
"Of course, we had to understand things again, with the set-up and things like that, but I had better feeling in the car. It was more consistent.
"I was able to deliver laps, even in Spa immediately in qualifying. Things went a lot better and I was much happier I would say from that point."
Kvyat did not wish to reveal the exact specifics of what AlphaTauri changed to help him, but said it was "a bit of everything".
"We took a bit of gamble in a way," he said.
"During the season, sometimes it's not a simple thing to change and it can be risky, because if you go even worse than you're really in a bad place. But luckily, things have improved.
"I'm very happy how me, and my side of the guys, reacted and developed it in the end."
Grosjean uncomfortable with F1 radio messages being broadcast
Pirelli concerned by timeframe for 18-inch F1 tyre test programme
Red Bull’s latest design tweak inspired by Williams
Red Bull’s latest design tweak inspired by Williams Red Bull’s latest design tweak inspired by Williams
Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars
Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Ex-F1 driver Kvyat completes Formula E Berlin rookie test line-up
Ex-F1 driver Kvyat completes Formula E Berlin rookie test line-up Ex-F1 driver Kvyat completes Formula E Berlin rookie test line-up
Ex-F1 driver Kvyat to race Lamborghini LMDh in 2024
Ex-F1 driver Kvyat to race Lamborghini LMDh in 2024 Ex-F1 driver Kvyat to race Lamborghini LMDh in 2024
The brutal side of F1 that's not unsettling Kvyat
The brutal side of F1 that's not unsettling Kvyat The brutal side of F1 that's not unsettling Kvyat
Le Mans 24 Hours: Peugeot leads, Ferrari spins, #7 Toyota out in hour 9
Le Mans 24 Hours: Peugeot leads, Ferrari spins, #7 Toyota out in hour 9 Le Mans 24 Hours: Peugeot leads, Ferrari spins, #7 Toyota out in hour 9
Ferrari's Pier Guidi spins out of Le Mans 24 Hours lead, #7 Toyota taken out
Ferrari's Pier Guidi spins out of Le Mans 24 Hours lead, #7 Toyota taken out Ferrari's Pier Guidi spins out of Le Mans 24 Hours lead, #7 Toyota taken out
Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche leads Ferrari as darkness falls after hour 6
Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche leads Ferrari as darkness falls after hour 6 Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche leads Ferrari as darkness falls after hour 6
Jota Porsche suffers spectacular crash while leading Le Mans
Jota Porsche suffers spectacular crash while leading Le Mans Jota Porsche suffers spectacular crash while leading Le Mans
Why F1’s quest for more isn't always better
Why F1’s quest for more isn't always better Why F1’s quest for more isn't always better
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023? Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.