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Double agent - Daniil Kvyat impresses in Italy despite difficulties

Published by Christine

Daniil Kvyat impresses in Italy despite difficulties
Peter Fox/Getty Images

Daniil Kvyat put in a reasonably good qualifying performance in Monza, not quite matching his highs of the top ten, but finishing in 11th place. Unfortunately, the Toro Rosso driver had his sixth engine bolted inside the car, meaning a ten place grid drop which rather put him on the back foot on Sunday.

Once the race got going, however, it was clear that Kvyat was on a mission. He was one of several drivers trying to make up places during the afternoon, overtaking at every available opportunity, and he ran an aggressively late one-stop strategy to improve his position. Towards the end of the race, he was closing in on tenth place but picked up a brake problem which resulted in a scary straight-on-at-the-chicane moment.

Somehow, the Russian managed to keep control of the car and reportedly finished the final lap without the aid of any meaningful brakes. Although there's still a question mark over his team's decision to employ Max Verstappen next year, Kvyat is doing everything in his power to prove that the team have replaced the right side of the garage.