Horner: Red Bull right not to "throw in the towel" on Kvyat

Amid interest from rival team Force India, Toro Rosso moved quickly over the United States Grand Prix weekend to commit to a new contract for Kvyat to remain on board for next year.

The move effectively ended hopes of GP2 frontrunner Pierre Gasly making the step up to F1, because all of Red Bull’s seats are now locked down for next season.

Speaking about the decision to retain Kvyat, Horner had no doubts that the Russian’s recent strong performances showed that he deserved to remain in F1.

“I think it is the right thing to do,” said Horner. “Daniil had a tough year this year, he had a sensible year last year, and his confidence took a dent understandably.

“He has worked on rebuilding himself and he has got himself together. And at 22 years of age, it is too early to throw in the towel on Daniil.

“So I think it was the right decision to give him another chance. I think you will see him turn it around.”

Horner said that he recommended to Toro Rosso that it retains Kvyat – although he was coy about any possibility of him returning to Red Bull in the future.

“It is not an option in the next couple of years because our seats are fixed,” he said. “We believe it is the best option to leave him in that car.

“He is still very young. He is a quick driver, he demonstrated that last year and he deserved a chance to try to regroup and re-establish himself.”