Despite high interest from Force India in rceent days, Daniil Kvyat's future will remain with the Red Bull programme, as the energy drinks giant confirmed that he is to partner Carlos Sainz at Toro Rosso for 2017.
The confirmation means that Force India are still on the hunt for a driver to pair with Sergio Perez, with names such as Jolyon Palmer and Esteban Ocon on their radar.
Gasly's future in doubt
Kvyat's appointment also means that GP2 championship contender and fellow Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly's future in the sport hangs in the balance. Unable to have another season in the series, if he is to win the championship, he may be forced to turn to touring cars or endurance racing - along with rival Antonio Giovinazzi.
Kvyat hailed the announcement as "great news".
In a statement made before Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix, the 22-year-old Russian expressed that he was content to remain with the Faenza based team.
"I'd like to thank Red Bull, Dr. Marko and all the team for their support and the faith they have shown in me since I returned to the team earlier this year," Kvyat told press. "I'm very happy to stay with a team that feels like home to me." He concluded with: "I'm really looking forward to continuing the hard work together in 2017 and I'm really aiming high".
Kvyat made his F1 debut in Australia three seasons ago with the Red Bull backed team, before graduating to the senior team for 2015 and the start of 2016, where he impressed against team mate Daniel Ricciardo, claiming two podiums in a difficult spell for the Austrian privateer team.
Due to costly mistakes and the presence of teenage starlet Max Verstappen, Kvyat was demoted after his native Russian Grand Prix this year.
Tost happy with timing
Team principal Franz Tost was satisfied with the timing of the announcement. "It makes a change to announce our driver line-up relatively early," before adding. "There are so many new elements coming to Formula 1 in general and to our team specifically, in terms of the change of power unit supplier, that having the same two drivers gives us stability and a benchmark to work from".