The next two months are going to be crucial and searing hot for the drivers’ market of F1. As you may have experienced, remote hypotheses could turn into reality once the ‘Silly Season’ kicks in, and the team that earned the spotlight at this stage is, undoubtedly, Williams.
As George Russell’s days with the Grove-based outfit unofficially draw to a close, speculation grows on who will occupy his seat next year. The scenario of a Bottas-Russell swap is the most convenient and predictable one involving Mercedes and Williams, but the drivers’ market always has surprises in store. Feeder series are teeming with eager talents, but getting tunnel vision in F1 never pays off.
Alpine reserve driver Daniil Kvyat still has a foot in the door, owing to his current role, which he hopes will be instrumental in earning him an F1 drive.Three podiums and still a whole load of unfinished business in F1. Kvyat brilliantly endured the psychological demolition a demotion can cause, always finding a way not to disappear completely and overcome any hurdles on his path.
Back in 2017, Kvyat ended up on Williams’ shortlist for a seat in 2018 but eventually negotiations did not move any further. History can repeat itself, and 2022 would be the perfect occasion for an experienced figure to jump in at Grove. Given the conspicuous financial backing granted by Nicholas Latifi, Jost Capito is expected to sign a veteran to foster Williams’ rebirth.
Not only would giving Kvyat a chance be an impactful story from a mediatic standpoint, but it would also stand for a valuable addition to the squad. Having worked with four different outfits on the developmental side (from Ferrari to Alpine) over the past few years, Kvyat’s broad expertise can definitely come in handy for Williams.
Furthermore, on a personal level he could find his stability and create his own environment, being tasked with leading a team for the first time in his career. That would imply the achievement of a respectable level of professional growth and also retribution on a personal level, having always fought in the shadow of Max Verstappen amid Helmut Marko’s harsh and selective policies within the Red Bull junior programme.
The Austrian actually slammed the door on him a month ago, as he reiterated that there are ‘zero chances’ to see Kvyat back in Formula 1. However, the fact that French manager Nicholas Todt has followed Kvyat towards his F1 return with Toro Rosso and his deal with Alpine is definitely a non-negligible detail. Being still in the frame, even in the actual TV frame, will help in terms of visibility, hoping to fill that unfulfillment related to his F1 path.
Kvyat is therefore ‘open to work’, stressing that F1 is his number-one priority but is ready to move past it if necessary. Asked about his future in an interview , Kvyat named even Formula E, IndyCar and Nascar. As for F1, his caustic wit quickly surfaces as he added: “But if the door will be closed, I will realise it very fast. And I’m very good at moving on, believe me.“
Author: Beatrice Zamuner – @ZamunerB
