Gasly, Kvyat Confirmed at Toro Rosso for 2020

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief

Scuderia Toro Rosso will keep its current driver lineup of Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat through the 2020 Formula 1 season.

Gasly began the year with senior team outfit Red Bull Racing, but was relegated in a seat swap after the summer break with Alex Albon. Although Gasly has only been with the team for the past seven races, he has scored points in four of them, and doubled the point total (14-7) of teammate Kvyat over that span.

Despite recent underwhelming run of form, Kvyat managed to score the team’s second-ever podium result earlier this season at the German Grand Prix.

“I’m delighted to retain Pierre and Daniil for next season,” said team principal Franz Tost. “Both drivers have shown really good performances this season and they have proven in their years in F1 to be very competitive, able to exploit the car’s potential and give valuable feedback to make improvements. This young but experienced duo, combined with hopefully a competitive car, will be the best factors to achieve a very successful season in 2020 and I’m looking forward to this extended cooperation.”

Despite the midseason demotion to the junior team, there are multiple factors that have Gasly looking forward to next season.

“I’m really happy to continue with the team for 2020 and I’m sure we have exciting challenges ahead of us,” Gasly said. “Toro Rosso has always given me the best chances to perform every season and I’m super motivated and dedicated to repaying them with the best results possible next year. Toro Rosso has been improving year after year and it’s great to be a part of the journey. I’m very excited to see what we can achieve together in 2020.”

Coincidentally, Kvyat shared the path his teammate is enduring after being relegated by Red Bull in 2016, only to end up out of a drive the entirety of last year. Now, he simply aims to build on the success of this year’s full-time return to the cockpit.

“It’s great to be confirmed with the team for 2020,” Kvyat said. “I’m really happy because I feel very comfortable with everyone here, I know the team and they know me very well, so it’s easy to understand everyone’s needs. We’ve achieved great things together, like our podium this year in Germany, so I hope to deliver a very strong season again for this team next year. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue in Formula 1 and I will give it my all to show the best possible performances next year. I’m really looking forward to more exciting times together.”