Why Kvyat's challenge to stay in F1 is only half-done

To say that Daniil Kvyat has had a rollercoaster Formula 1 career is an understatement.

At the end of 2017, the Russian appeared to be in the process of disappearing into oblivion after being unceremoniously dumped out of the Red Bull programme. But for 2019 he was back at Toro Rosso, and back in some style.

In July he earned a spectacular third place in a rain-affected German Grand Prix, staying on the road and making the right calls on a day when so many others got it wrong - even if it was a fortuitous strategy call that ultimately got him to the podium.

That race at Hockenheim was undoubtedly the high point of a season that had Kvyat quietly rebuilding his reputation. He made the points on nine occasions, with seventh places in Monaco and at Spa - both times finishing as the runner-up in the best-of-the-rest battle behind the 'big three' teams - among the other standout results.

But it was still a strange season for Kvyat. It started with him being the benchmark against a mercurial rookie in Alex Albon, and ended with him running alongside Pierre Gasly, who, like Kvyat, had endured a difficult time in the senior Red Bull team, and was also seeking rehabilitation.

The difference between the two was that, unlike Gasly, Kvyat was out of Red Bull's driver programme completely at the end of 2017. His career was saved by a spell as a simulator driver at Ferrari in '18 that gave him the opportunity to reflect and get his head together - and to be in the right place when Helmut Marko suddenly needed another driver.

Kvyat says his comeback season was very satisfying after his spell on the sidelines.

"It's been one of my best ones," he says. "I put it in line with 2015, probably, or maybe in some places even slightly better because I think I'm a bit older and more mature now than then. I have better vision in general.

"And of course, there were some races that didn't go my way. But it's to be expected. In our midfield area, one tenth can turn your weekend upside down. In the end, many races were very good, very strong, and I'm quite satisfied with this year.

"When I had a shitty day I tried to remember where I was last year. I brought myself back to last year, and said, 'OK you are here, maybe you wouldn't be here and it would be different.' So, I tried to enjoy every day, even when I had a day that's so-so. It helps me to be OK after the days that were so-so."

Ferrari allowed Kvyat to expand his technical knowledge, but more importantly he was able to reflect on the bigger picture

His strategy looks inspired now, but there was no guarantee that Kvyat's spell at Ferrari would propel him back into a race seat. At some points last year he thought it might not pay off.

"There were times," he admits, "maybe closer to the summer end [when that was the case]. I spoke to a few guys. Of course, I wasn't in the best place, but it went quite well in the end."

So, what did he do to convince Marko that he should be invited back on board?

"I don't know!" he exclaims. "He's that kind of guy that can understand from one handshake if you've changed a lot. I had a couple of conversations with him during the year, but they remained just like 'old boss and old employee' kind of conversations.

"Then obviously I said to many teams, and him, 'Look, if you need anyone...' And it happened that I called a few days before Daniel Ricciardo announced that he was changing teams. So, he thought of me, and he called me and said, 'Let's have a meeting.' And that was it."

Kvyat is far from the first driver to have a year out early in their F1 career. It happened to Mika Hakkinen in 1993 and Fernando Alonso in 2002, although in both cases they were basically on standby pending a vacancy at the team they were contracted to. It was a similar situation for Nico Hulkenberg in 2011, and indeed Esteban Ocon in 2019. They all knew their time would come.

Kvyat's case is closer to those of Felipe Massa's in 2003, and Romain Grosjean's in '10-11. Both appeared to have blown their chances, but managed to bounce back after an enforced break and enjoy long careers.

The Ferrari role allowed Kvyat to expand his technical knowledge, but perhaps more importantly on a personal level he was able to reflect on the bigger picture.

"Once you see everything from a different perspective, maybe you're outside the sport, and you think, 'OK, if I ever have a chance then I will kind of give it more love, and more passion,'" he explains. "Then during the year you become more and more competitive, and you always want more. It's normal."

Making the podium at Hockenheim was a spectacular redemption for Kvyat. Of that sweet moment, he says: "It was a bit of a crazy race, and it's good to see that crazy races can still bring a podium to the midfield, like we saw in Brazil [with Gasly] as well. A few little incidents and a few little mistakes from others, and one good decision from you, and then suddenly you are fighting almost for a win.

"Of course it was a very emotional day for me, after a few years of, let's say, quite difficult times. To then get that reward it felt almost like, 'I'm done here, I can go home!' But I said, 'Now I want the next trophy'."

There was never any serious doubt that Kvyat and Gasly would both be retained at the rebranded AlphaTauri team for 2020, not least because this time around Red Bull does not have anyone in its programme that is ready to graduate.

"Sometimes timing works for you, sometimes timing works against you," Kvyat reflects. "In the end, it's all about trying to be patient and doing your job, and being in the right place at the right time.

"I don't want to give too much deep thought about my current situation or my past situation - it's just the way it happened. It could have not happened, but it happened, and I'm pretty happy."

Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri looks to have some momentum heading into 2020, but all bets are off for 2021

Toro Rosso has often employed two rookies, or a rookie alongside a driver in their second or third year. The Faenza team is now in the unusual situation of having two racers who have been around for a while and already had a shot at Red Bull, and whose chances of bouncing back - should a vacancy arise - look difficult.

"Almost everyone who's come through this team has been very talented," says Kvyat. "Some were unlucky with timing, like in my case at Red Bull Racing it was not the best time to be in the team. I really don't want to talk for Pierre, and what happened to him at Red Bull - it wouldn't be right.

"But now of course it's all OK. He had a shorter time at Red Bull, and he has a living example in front of him that everything's possible, even if you get dropped from Red Bull. It's good that they gave a second chance to both of us, I think."

Toro Rosso was more competitive in 2019 than at any point since its season with Sebastian Vettel in '08 - sixth place in the constructors' championship provided proof. Working with a works engine partner in Honda has helped to lift everything up a notch.

"It's obviously been a very strong year, one of the best of Toro Rosso's history, it's fair to say," reckons Kvyat. "It's been very exciting to be part of it.

"Honda is extremely motivated to bring in the strongest product possible. They are doing it very well, they are improving, and I think the bridge now to the very top engine is extremely small. And next year let's see if we can completely eliminate this bridge. It will be great.

"But already now in the races we don't feel any deficit. There were a few Saturdays where we felt it a little bit, but even that's been improving, and I think that Honda is on the right path, definitely."

Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri looks to have some momentum heading into 2020, but all bets are off for '21, when most assume that the rule changes will allow the three big teams to gain an initial advantage. But is Kvyat excited by what he's seen of F1's latest rules revolution?

"First of all, I'm excited about next year! And then 2021, it's the same story as 2014 - maybe the gap will grow again for one or two years, and then it will close again. I don't want to try to predict the future too much.

"I think this generation of cars was a realisation of a dream a little bit for drivers, or race car lovers, because it's wide tyres, a futuristic design, a lot of wings - it's cool. But then there were some other issues with that. Now [for 2021] it looks also pretty cool I think. In 2014 or 2015 it didn't look great, but it promoted a good amount of racing - following cars was easier.

"These are very long-term topics - cars that are not so fast but are great for following others, and great for racing, and people complain they are too slow, they want a huge amount of lap time and incredible lap records. Then we achieve that and maybe racing suffers a little bit. Now hopefully 2021 is the perfect middle."

But it's still to be determined if Kvyat will have a place in F1's future. Gasly generally had the upper hand in qualifying over the latter half of 2019 and, following the recent lull in Red Bull's junior production output, Formula 3 star Juri Vips is knocking at the door, pending superlicence qualification.

So, it's up to Kvyat to keep doing the job on track, and again convince Marko that he's worth investing in.