Kvyat set for new Toro Rosso deal

The Russian has had his fair share of frustrations this year and scored just four points from the first nine races of the season, compared to the 29 that teammate Carlos Sainz has delivered.

But despite another difficult race in Austria, where Kvyat triggered a first corner incident that led to the exit of Max Verstappen, Red Bull says it retains faith in him on the back of the good speed he has delivered this year.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: "He misjudged his braking point and Max was an unfortunate victim of that. But I don't think anybody is going to come down too hard on him."

With Red Bull having assured Sainz of a deal for next year, Horner said that Kvyat was also likely to be confirmed imminently at Toro Rosso too.

When asked if Kvyat's option had been taken up, Horner said: "Not yet but I cannot see a scenario where it won't be.

"He has actually driven a pretty sensible season so far, so the likelihood is that it will be taken up in the relatively near future."

The news on Kvyat and Sainz will be bad for Red Bull reserve Pierre Gasly, who had hoped that an opportunity would open up at Toro Rosso for 2018.

The lack of movement at Toro Rosso comes with Red Bull having both Daniel Ricciardo and Verstappen under contract for next year too.

There had been talk that Ferrari was trying to lure Verstappen away, and even stories over the Austria weekend that the Dutchman had asked to leave his current team.

But Horner reiterated that Verstappen was going nowhere until at least 2020.

"It is total propaganda. Total rubbish," said Horner about the reports. "He has a contract for 2019. Then after '19 he's on the open market."