Daniil Kvyat 'not surprised by Jean-Eric Vergne snub'

Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat has claimed that the decision to overlook Jean-Eric Vergne for the vacant seat at Red Bull has not come as a surprise.

Russian youngster Kvyat has been selected to replace four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel from 2015, and for Vergne it represents a second snub from the senior team after losing out on a drive to Daniel Ricciardo last winter.

However, Kvyat is adamant that the decision was not a complete shock.

He told Autosport: "No, I'm not surprised. It's clear that last year they picked Daniel. Jean-Eric is a great driver, he is very quick, experienced as well.

"But I have been racing for a long time even if I have not been in F1 for very long. There are some things you can learn only by doing it, and I believe that is what is going to happen to me.

"Already this year we can see that experience itself is not playing a big role for Jean-Eric."

Ricciardo has won three races in his first season with Red Bull and is currently ahead of Vettel in the drivers' standings.