Russian backer joins Kvyat at Toro Rosso

May 8 - A Russian backer is more than happy with Daniil Kvyat's controversial return to Toro Rosso ahead of the Spanish grand prix.

Moscow-based online newspaper Lenta reports that, mere days after Red Bull decided to demote 22-year-old Kvyat, Russian businessman Sergey Belousov signed on the dotted line of a sponsorship deal with the Faenza based team.

"We have been familiar with Daniil Kvyat for a long time and discussed a possible partnership with Toro Rosso before his move to Red Bull," Belousov, an IT entrepreneur and venture capitalist, said.

"We also have a huge respect for the head of Toro Rosso, Franz Tost," he added.

According to Lenta, Belousov's financial and technological support for Toro Rosso will be long-term, but only if Tost and Kvyat are at the team.

He said he thinks Toro Rosso is a better place for Kvyat than was Red Bull Racing.

"Red Bull is focused on the commercial side as well but Toro Rosso is pure racing," said Belousov.

"I am not an expert in formula one," he added, "but in my opinion Toro Rosso is more comfortable at Toro Rosso.

"Of course, Verstappen is also a first-class driver, but I think Kvyat was able to show his strength already at the start of this season."

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Leopold

Leopold Pleijsier founded F1-Fansite.com in 2001 and has followed Formula 1 since the early 1980s. He writes about daily F1 news, race weekends, drivers and the sport’s history.

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