Sainz: Kvyat "one of the most talented drivers I’ve ever raced against”

Carlos Sainz rates Daniil Kvyat as one of the most talented drivers he has come up against. The Spaniard told Motorsport.com that his former Toro Rosso teammate was one of the tougher competitors he has faced in his racing career.

Speaking ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Sainz said that the Russian was a difficult challenge for him and that he believes Kvyat will find his way back to a race seat in Formula One.

“When he left Formula 1, I don’t know why, I had this feeling that he one day he would make it back.

“Every time I’ve been against him in all categories, he sometimes, somehow always finds a way back – back to performance, or back to F1, or back to the category, or back to the Red Bull programme, whatever.”

Sainz also explained the potential for a return to the sport and that his view is Kvyat will be back on the grid at some point in the near future.

“I actually told my manager, I told my dad – ‘I have this feeling that this guy is not over yet, that he is going to come back',” Sainz added. “And look, it looks like he has a good chance and I would be very happy for him if he does come back.”

Kvyat has recently been linked with a sensational return to Toro Rosso, having been booted out by Red Bull in favour of Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley.