Former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat is gearing up to continue his NASCAR adventure as he prepares to race at the Circuit of the Americas in the Xfinity Series. The former Red Bull star had in the past expressed his disappointment, saying he felt “stabbed in the back” when he was replaced by Max Verstappen.
The decision to let the young Dutchman take his place at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix led to Kvyat being transferred to the small Toro Rosso team; this occurred just two races after his podium finish at the Chinese Grand Prix. After that, the Russian driver never regained his place in the Red Bull team and raced for Torro Rosso until 2020.
Eight years after that career-changing day, it’s a tale of two paths: Verstappen has proven himself to be a wonderful modernist with 3 consecutive championships. On the other hand, the guy he replaced had a varied driving career that included stints in NASCAR in the Cup Series and Xfinity Series.
Now, the 29-year-old is gearing up for another race in this newest competition, representing SS-GreenLight Racing in the No. 07 at COTA on March 23. Speaking in the past about his journey in motorsport, Kvyat took a philosophical stance, while speaking about his replacement via Verstappen at Red Bull on the Track Limits podcast, saying: “I felt betrayed at the time.
“It was a stab in the back and that’s life, you get stabbed in the back, you know, it’s normal. Now that’s a thing of the past,” he admitted. I have another smart sporting career, so a part of me is, of course, very grateful to Red Bull. The other part of me is still very dissatisfied with it.
“I was acting really well and they gave me another podium for the team [at the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix] and at that point I was also offered to race for Ferrari to upgrade Kimi [Raikkonen],” he said sensationally. , adding, “I was bringing the curtain down. “
Explaining in more detail the scenario surrounding his departure from Red Bull, he added: “So it’s a very tricky scenario also for me mentally, no longer being sought through Ferrari and having noticed the contract, and then going back to Toro Rosso. All of a sudden and then you think, all of a sudden it’s not going very well.
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However, there’s no doubt that Kvyat has now regained his enthusiasm for racing as he looks to build on his past NASCAR appearances. Prior to his next appearance at COTA, he represented Sam Hunt Racing in the Xfinity Series in the 2022 campaign, while competing for Team Hezeberg in the Cup 3 times.
“I’m excited to be back NASCAR. Me I’ve laughed a lot in my past races. The flavour of the festival is very different from that of F1 and the World Endurance Championship,” said the Russian, visibly very happy with his return. “I’m especially looking forward to my career at COTA. I went there with F1, so it will be appealing to revel in the track in a Camaro. “
Team owner Bobby Dotter was also satisfied: “I’m very happy to have Daniil in the No. 07 in COTA. No there is nothing better than a former F1 driver for a racetrack. Daniil is a wonderful competitor, but she is also a wonderful wife to our team. “
“He’s been in the garage every day since he arrived in Charlotte, helping to get the car ready and getting to know the team. We can’t wait to see what he does on the track. “
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