Daniil Kvyat

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Ufa and raised in Moscow, Kvyat began competitive kart racing aged 10, before moving to Italy in 2007 to pursue a professional career. After winning several international karting titles, Kvyat progressed to junior formulae in 2010. He claimed 23 victories in Formula Renault 2.0, finishing runner-up to Stoffel Vandoorne in the Eurocup and winning the Alps Series, both in 2012 with Koiranen. He then won the GP3 Series in his rookie season with Arden. A member of the Red Bull Junior Team since 2010, Kvyat signed with Toro Rosso in 2014, making his Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix, finishing ninth to become the then-youngest points-scorer in Formula One history, aged 19. He was promoted to parent team Red Bull in 2015, achieving his maiden podium finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix and outscoring teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Having retained his seat at Red Bull for 2016 and achieving another podium in China, Kvyat was replaced by Max Verstappen following a controversial collision with Sebastian Vettel at the Russian Grand Prix. He remained at Toro Rosso for his 2017 campaign before being released at the end of the season, becoming a reserve driver for Ferrari. He returned to Toro Rosso—later renamed to AlphaTauri—in 2019 to partner Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly, taking his third career podium at the rain-affected German Grand Prix. Kvyat was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda at the conclusion of the 2020 season, departing as the most successful Russian driver in Formula One history; he achieved three podiums and one fastest lap across six seasons. After serving as a reserve driver for Alpine in 2021, Kvyat was set to compete in the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship for G-Drive prior to their withdrawal following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kvyat returned to WEC the next season with Prema, competing under an Italian licence. He then signed for Lamborghini in 2024, competing in the premier Hypercar class alongside Mirko Bortolotti and Edoardo Mortara. The team moved to the IMSA SportsCar Championship for 2025.

In Their Own Story

The air in the Silverstone pit lane hung heavy with humidity and unspoken history. Daniil Kvyat gripped the RB16's wheel, carbon fiber humming beneath his palms—a vibration that felt less like machinery and more like a heartbeat. The ghosts of Sochi 2016 still haunted this cockpit: the screech of tires, the controversial collision with Sebastian Vettel, and the demotion that had felt like a fall from grace. But today, the iconic Red Bull livery wasn't a symbol of pressure; it was a canvas for redemption. As the five red lights flickered out, hesitation was impossible. This wasn't just another race start; it was a driver clawing his way back from the brink, chasing down the pack with the desperate speed of someone who had nothing left to lose and everything to reclaim.

Reader's Guide

Kvyat's early career included karting success in Italy, winning the Winter Cup in KF3 in 2009. He moved to Formula BMW in 2010, winning a race in Asia. He also raced in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand before the 2011 European season. His Formula One career spanned six seasons with Toro Rosso, Red Bull, and AlphaTauri, achieving three podiums and one fastest lap.

Did You Know?

• Kvyat was the then-youngest points-scorer in Formula One history at age 19.
• He is fluent in Russian, Italian, Spanish, and English, with some Finnish and Dutch.
• Kvyat's racing number 26 was chosen with no previous connection; he wanted to make it successful.
• He dated Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, and they had a daughter in July 2019 before splitting in December 2019.
• Kvyat's favorite songs are Metallica's 'Whiskey in the Jar' cover and Motörhead's 'Ace of Spades'.