Factory Focus: Daniil Kvyat

Ever since his karting days, Daniil Kvyat has had a special relationship with Italy. It’s where he grew up, finished his education and ultimately settled upon completing his climb up the Formula One career ladder.

With over 100 starts and three podiums at the top of the single seater world, Kvyat is now back in Italy with an Italian brand in a world championship. And he couldn’t be happier.

Having made the move to Europe from his native Russia, Kvyat turned heads in the junior formulae, winning both the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps and GP3 Series titles while a Red Bull junior driver.

After stints with Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri – alongside testing roles at Ferrari and Renault - his F1 career came to a close at the end of the year, but a new venture in sportscars beckoned, signing with Prema Racing and subsequently Lamborghini Squadra Corse as a factory driver in 2023. Now, Kvyat’s a cornerstone member of the Lamborghini Iron Lynx project in the FIA World Endurance Championship, alongside Mirko Bortolotti and Edoardo Mortara.

In and out of the car, Kvyat casts a serious, steely persona as a consummate professional. But much like his Hypercar class team-mates, he’s an easy-going driver who spends as much time sampling Iron Lynx’s hospitality cappuccino as he does at the wheel of the SC63.

Here we can find out a little more about Daniil Kvyat:

Describe your journey with Lamborghini Squadra Corse so far?
Well, basically I was a free agent at the end of 2022, and I got in touch with an old friend of mine, Enrico Toccacelo who put me in touch with Lamborghini and Iron Lynx. I then sat down with [then Lamborghini head of motorsport] Giorgio Sanna and [Iron Lynx team principal] Andrea Piccini and discussed maybe joining the Hypercar project which seemed like the most logical journey for me. I was quite convinced that the project had the potential, and I was very excited to join.

What excites you the most about the SC63 and the LMDh project?
It’s very cool to be able to represent an Italian brand at world championship level again; Italy has been a big part of my life so far; I grew up here and spent many years in the country. I am fluent in Italian and finished my schooling here, so I feel at home at Lamborghini. And to be part of such a cool, famous brand is the most exciting part of this project for me.

What is the bond like with your team-mates?
We get along together really well on and off the track. The most important thing is how we communicate together about the car and how we can work together to find the improvements we need to make it quicker. Obviously, I have worked with Mirko [Bortolotti] before in LMP2 so we are happy with each other and then Edo was new to the team but also really professional, so we are able to align our visions well.

What is the worst rental car you ever had?
Maybe when I was in Bahrain or somewhere similar. I can’t remember the brand of car but it was such an old car, like really, really old car from 2005. But in the end, it got me from point A to point B and didn’t break down. It also had aircon which was a plus! And really, there is no bad car if it takes you from point A to point B!

What are your hobbies away from the racetrack?
I like to do quite a lot of things when I am not racing; for example, hiking with my girlfriend or training. But generally, it’s something simple like cooking good food or taking a drive somewhere away from home if there is time. Also, I like to keep in shape but also relax in order to be ready and have enough energy for the next races.