F1: Kvyat signs new Toro Rosso deal

Daniil Kvyat will remain at Toro Rosso alongside Carlos Sainz Jr for 2017, the team has confirmed.

The Russian's future had been the subject of much speculation following his demotion from Red Bull's main team prior to this year's Spanish Grand Prix, with names such as GP2 frontrunner Pierre Gasly having been connected to the drive.

However the team announced on Saturday that its line-up will remain unchanged next year.

"I'm very happy to stay with a team that feels like home to me," said Kvyat, who made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2014. "I'm really looking forward to continuing the hard work together in 2017 and I'm really aiming high. I will always be fully dedicated, giving my 200 percent, and I will be pushing as hard as I usually do."

Team principal Franz Tost said that continuity on the driver front will be an asset to Toro Rosso as it prepares for a raft of major rule changes next year.

"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 [switching from Ferrari to Renault], that having the same two drivers gives us stability and a benchmark to work from," he said.

"In recent races, it has been clear that Daniil is back on top form. I always told him that his future with us was in his hands and he has stepped up to the mark and delivered the sort of performances that have ensured his 2017 seat.

"We now have a very talented and strong driver pairing to tackle a season in which we expect to be very competitive. For Carlos, it will be his third year with us, which speaks volumes when it comes to how highly we rate him."