Kvyat: Toro Rosso must investigate loss of pace in F1 Azerbaijan GP

Kvyat and team-mate Alex Albon both managed season-best grid positions in sixth and 11th respectively after the Russian put together the fourth fastest lap across the first two practice sessions.

But Kvyat struggled for pace in the race and slid down the order before the bizarre escape road collision with Daniel Ricciardo forced him into retirement.

Kvyat said Toro Rosso must figure out the cause of its problem.

"We lost a big amount of grip all of a sudden," said Kvyat about a difficult first stint that included a drop from sixth to 12th in the first five laps.

"It was like a big warning. So we think we got something slightly wrong. I don't know whatever it is, but we need to analyse it now and we can learn from it."

Kvyat said his pace improved once he switched to the medium compound tyre.

"When we pitted for the yellow [medium] tyre, C3, it wasn't looking too bad," said Kvyat.

"The pace still wasn't excellent enough to match perhaps McLaren, but we were hanging there.

"We were still in a race for a point or a couple of points, and obviously Daniel caught [me].

"I was aware he was going to catch me sooner or later. So honestly he just had to be a little bit more patient and it wouldn't have been an issue.

"It's a shame, but we need to investigate why we were so competitive throughout [practice and qualifying] and we lost all of a sudden the pace [in the race].

"I am sure our guys will be on it and we'll be better next time."