Red Bull right to promote Verstappen

In the end, the only surprise about Red Bull’s decision to replace Daniil Kvyat with Max Verstappen for the remainder of the season was the timing.

Kvyat, for all his promise, was usurped long ago. His days at the senior team always seen numbered. Verstappen, the 18-year-old Dutch superstar, is younger, faster and has a brighter future.

Kvyat must be sick with envy. Because just two years ago, that was him. Like Verstappen he took to F1 like a duck to water at Red Bull’s B team Toro Rosso and was talked about as a potential F1 champion.

Alongside the highly respected Jean-Eric Vergne, Kvyat shone. Now, his star has faded and been outdone by a brighter, trendier new model.

Kvyat has struggled next to Daniel Ricciardo. He may have beaten him on points last season but his inconsistency and problems in qualifying have proven to be his ultimate downfall.

Now he can rebuild his shot confidence and try again in the future. Although, it looks as if his Red Bull career is coming to a meandering end.

Moving Verstappen up to Red Bull seems, at first, like an unnecessary risk. Why not leave him to flourish in a comfortable environment at Toro Rosso? Why risk him struggle under the pressure? Verstappen is destined for the top, why potentially ruin it?

Well, from Red Bull’s ide it’s quite simple. Verstappen’s contract runs out at the end of 2017, and Ferrari and Mercedes are circling. If Verstappen does well at Red Bull then they will happily keep him, if not then they will be happy to see him leave.

The tension between him and Carlos Sainz has been diffused by taking one of them out, and, as good as Sainz appears to be, he is no Verstappen.

Ricciardo always seem comfortable against Kvyat. He might not against Verstappen. With upgrades coming in Canada, Red Bull could be serious rivals to Ferrari. Verstappen could feasibly win his first race.

Now we have a second enthralling battle to keep an eye on. Rosberg v Hamilton. Ricciardo v Verstappen. Sebastian Vettel still lurks closely at Ferrari. But with Red Bull rising, they need a second class driver. They’ve been ruthless, but they’ve done what they were always going to do.

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