Motorsport: Gasly replaces Kvyat at Toro Rosso

Pierre Gasly of France and Red Bull Racing looks on from the pit wall. Photo / Getty Images

French driver Pierre Gasly will make his Formula One debut this weekend at the Malaysian Grand Prix after being drafted in by the Toro Rosso team in place of Russian Daniil Kvyat.

The Red Bull-owned team said the switch "gives us an opportunity to make a more informed decision regarding our 2018 driver choices".

Gasly, the 2016 GP2 champion, is the leading contender to replace Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who will leave Toro Rosso next season on loan to Renault.

Kvyat is expected to stay but has under-performed, with Sainz scoring 48 points to the Russian's meagre haul of four from 14 races. The team are sixth overall.