Red Bull stronger after tough 2015 F1 season, Kvyat believes

After four years of success from 2010-13, the last two since the introduction of the current power unit have been tough for the team, with last season its lowest finish in the F1 constructors' championship since 2008.

The Renault system proved problematic, leading to a fallout with the French manufacturer, and although there has been a reunion for this year, the engine has been rebranded as TAG Heuer.

Looking back on his debut season with Red Bull in 2015, Kvyat told Autosport: "When I first came to Red Bull, expectations were high - from the team, from myself and other people - for the results that we would achieve together.

"Obviously it was a very big test of patience this year, for all of us as a group, with the beginning a bit of a shock for all of us. We were in a difficult situation.

"Then we started to climb and to improve ourselves, but there were many ups and downs.

"We would score some good points at one event, then at the next event we'd score zero. That was a bit disappointing.

"Obviously in your second year in Formula 1 you want to believe it's going to be great, but sometimes you have to leave your expectations behind and focus on your work, and that's what I did."

Kvyat feels last year can only stand the team in good stead for the forthcoming campaign.

"I hope there are a lot more positive emotions ahead of us because there weren't too many last year, even though there were a couple of really great races and my first podium," added Kvyat.

"All in all there were not as many positive emotions as we would like to have had.

"But we need these kind of tough seasons in our lives. I think we grew stronger as a group. Every person in our group will be stronger."