Max Verstappen replaces Kvyat at Red Bull for remainder of F1 season

Red Bull have dropped Daniil Kvyat to their junior team Toro Rosso and roped in Max Verstappen as his replacement for the remainder of the Formula One season.

Verstappen will join Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull while Kvyat will partner Carlos Sainz from next week's Spanish Grand Prix.

The decision came after Kvyat's display at the Russian Grand Prix had forced Ferrari's four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel out of the race, the Guardian reported.

22-year-old Kvyat had bumped into the back of Vettel's Ferrari at turn two before crashing into him again moments later. The force of the second impact was so massive that the German spun into the wall that eventually ended his race.

Reflecting on the decision, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said that Verstappen's performance at Toro Rosso has been impressive so far and, therefore, they want to give him opportunity to drive for Red Bull.

He further informed that Kvyat would continue his development at Toro Rosso, where he could regain his form and display his potential.

Expressing shock over Red Bull's decision to replace Kvyat, McLaren driver Jenson Button wrote on Twitter, "Really? one bad race and Kyvat's dropped, what about the podium in the previous race? £Shortmemories.