Motorsport: Kyvat's mistake to cost him his 2017 seat

Daniil Kyvat driving for Toro Rosso during 2014. Photo / Getty Images

Red Bull star Daniil Kvyat's moment of madness at the start of the Russian Grand Prix will cost him his job in 2017, according to reports.

The Red Bull driver has already apologised to his team and rival Sebastian Vettel after smashing into the back of the Ferrari driver, who in turn made contact with Australian Daniel Ricciardo in a crazy start to the race in Sochi on Sunday night (AEST).

Ricciardo said after the race Kvyat owes him and a lot of other people an apology.

Kvyat's future at Red Bull was reportedly fragile before the Russian race - and his costly error has now sealed his fate, according to long-time Formula 1 journalist James Allen.

Kvyat will hold discussions with the team about his future this week.

The 2013 GP3 champion replaced Vettel at Red Bull after just one season with Toro Rosso and outscored teammate Ricciardo last year.

However, it is thought Red Bull bosses are keen to promote teenage sensation Max Verstappen to the senior team as soon as possible as the Dutchman continues to enhance his reputation as one of the hottest properties in F1.

"The reality of the situation is that at the end of this season Red Bull will promote Max Verstappen to the team and the seat he is likely to occupy is Kvyat's," Allen wrote.

"That was already clear at the start of the season. Sources suggested that decision had been made."

Allen reported there is still plenty of time for Kvyat to salvage his reputation this season, but believes Ricciardo has proven himself the top dog at Red Bull.

"Ricciardo is under contract to Red Bull and although he would be the first choice to replace (Kimi) Raikkonen at Ferrari, the previous history with Vettel means that such a move by Ferrari would destabilise their number one driver and they do not want to do that," he wrote.

"Kvyat is not stupid, he's seen the writing on the wall, but he is emotional.

"Emotions got the better of him yesterday, trying to make a big statement for Mother Russia in front of the nation's most important figures and his family.

"There will be quite a bit of movement at the end of this season with question marks over the continued participation of Raikkonen, Massa and Button.

"Yesterday did not cost Kvyat his seat - that had almost certainly already gone. It is unlikely to have cost him a future in the sport, as he has plenty of opportunities to show what he can do between now and driver decision time around August/September.

"He can still save his career, but he has to learn from what happened yesterday and show he has learned, while not losing his aggressive edge. That's his tightrope walk for the rest of the season.

"It's not over yet for Daniil Kvyat."

The 22-year-old was named the worst driver of the Russian Grand Prix on the Skysports.com 2016 Russian Grand Prix driver ratings after twice making contact with Vettel.

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene said: "Once is acceptable but to hit him twice is unacceptable".

Kvyat was given a rank of 4/10.