Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton questions wisdom of Red Bull over Daniil Kvyat’s demotion to Toro Rosso
THREE-TIME world champion Lewis Hamilton has become the latest driver to question the wisdom of Red Bull’s decision to demote Daniil Kvyat to junior team Toro Rosso following an error-strewn Russian Grand Prix.
Kvyat crashed into Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel twice in the first three corners of the race at the Sochi Autodrom earlier this month which ended the German’s afternoon, while he also damaged the vehicle of Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
The 22-year-old has been replaced by 18-year-old Max Verstappen, the son of ex-racer Jos and the youngest driver ever to compete in Formula One, for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
“It is a good opportunity for one and for the other it is very unfortunate,” said Hamilton. “Red Bull have done well in bringing young talent forward but I think they need to be aware that the young drivers need time to progress. Mistakes do happen.
“Do I agree with it? It doesn’t really matter but it is definitely not something that I would do.”
Hamilton is 43 points adrift of Mercedes team-mate and rival Nico Rosberg, who recorded his seventh straight race victory in Russia, at the drivers’ championship summit.