Kvyat plays down Gasly axe rumours

Daniil Kvyat has played down rumours he is first in line for Pierre Gasly’s job at Red Bull.

Dr Helmut Marko says Gasly’s place is safe for the rest of 2019, but it is clear the Frenchman is struggling alongside Max Verstappen.

"I am adapting myself to the car but the team is also trying to adapt the car to me," Gasly said in Austria.

He insisted he is "not worried" about losing his seat.

But that is not stopping the rumours linking Russian Kvyat with a return to Red Bull.

The Russian has returned to the Red Bull camp after a similar Gasly-like struggle a few years ago. Marko and Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost say he is now more mature.

When asked about the rumours, Kvyat said in Austria: "There are always rumours, but they have no effect on my work.

"I’m working well with my team, and at the moment I’m focused only on working with Toro Rosso.

"Before the season started, I wanted my results to speak for me, and I’m going to stick with that approach. Let’s see what happens afterwards."

Kvyat did not want to refer specifically to Gasly’s struggle, declaring: "I don’t know what the situation is with them now, but I think it’s hard to compare with my time.

"I only know that I am a completely different driver now than I was then."