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F1: Toro Rosso rookie Daniil Kvyat hopes he stops growing soon

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Daniil Kvyat has his fingers crossed his growth spurt is over.

A cursory look at the Russian's formative career, including his GP3 title last year, shows that the then lanky teenager was 175cm tall.

But other, perhaps more up-to-date F1 resources are showing the impressive Kvyat at 180cm -- the 5cm difference meaning he is either an average 5 foot 9, or a quite-tall 5 foot 11.

Dr Helmut Marko, in charge of Red Bull's driver development programme, has been quoted as saying the young Russian is indeed growing very quickly.

It has raised fears Kvyat might keep growing and hurt his career by no longer fitting easily at the wheel of today's F1 cars.

"Of course yes," he told Speed Week, "I am one of the taller drivers.

"But there were others taller than me in the past, like Mark Webber and Gerhard Berger.

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR9
Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR9 (Photo: GEPA Pictures)

"I have had a growth spurt, but it's over now, I think," Kvyat added.

Marko has also suggested that Kvyat, while clearly the standout surprise among the latest F1 rookies, has been lucky to make his debut in 2014 rather than perhaps a year earlier.

"Daniil Kvyat is a very good driver," he told the Guardian. "But he's young and if he jumped in last year's car he would not have finished a grand prix without being completely exhausted.

"Now he can finish because the demands are so much lower," Marko added.


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada