Ex-Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat has recently discussed his relationship with two-time World Champion Max Verstappen, whom he admits he had a “bit of rivalry” with.
Kvyat and Verstappen have never raced for the same team together, despite the duo having initially been set to be team-mates in 2015.
Kvyat and Verstappen were supposed to be in Toro Rosso (known now as AlphaTauri) together in 2015, the season that the Dutchman made his F1 debut.
Following Sebastian Vettel’s move from Red Bull to Ferrari, though, Kvyat was instead promoted to the Milton Keynes-based side, where he partnered Daniel Ricciardo.
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Kvyat finished ahead of Ricciardo in the 2015 Drivers’ Championship and went on to claim a podium in the opening rounds of the 2016 season, at the Chinese Grand Prix.
However, after causing multiple collisions, Kvyat was demoted back to Toro Rosso from the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix onwards, with Verstappen having taken his place.
Verstappen went on to win on his Red Bull debut.
Since making his Red Bull debut in 2016, the 25-year-old has gone on to claim two world titles, whilst Kvyat hasn’t appeared on the F1 grid since 2020.
The pair do still have an interesting connection, though, with Verstappen dating Kvyat’s ex-girlfriend, Kelly Piquet.
Piquet and Kvyat also have a daughter together, who is often seen with Verstappen when he streams his virtual racing.
Kvyat has discussed his mindset when Red Bull promoted Verstappen into F1, with the Dutchman having very much been viewed as the “next big star”.
For Kvyat, Verstappen was simply the guy “I had to beat” back in 2015; however, he openly admits now that the Dutch driver is “doing an amazing job”.
“Everyone [that] Red Bull brings is the next big star, it’s always been the case,” Kvyat told the ‘Track Limits’ podcast.
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“At the time we were supposed to be teammates, I think, so for me he was just the next guy I had to beat and that’s all.
“There was already a bit of rivalry but then I got promotion to Red Bull Racing, so unfortunately that didn’t happen but it would [have been] interesting. Of course, you have to give him credit. He’s been doing an amazing job. Very strong.
“Wheel-to-wheel also very strong, probably the strongest wheel-to-wheel. But I think everyone’s beatable, for sure, in certain conditions and the team has given him everything he needs, everything he wants.”