Verstappen: Red Bull switch an "amazing" opportunity

The Dutchman is to line up alongside Daniel Ricciardo from next weekend's Barcelona race, after Red Bull elected to demote Daniil Kvyat to Toro Rosso in the wake of his Russian Grand Prix incidents.

Verstappen is due to fly to the Red Bull factory later this week for his seat fitting, and do some preparation work in the RB12 in the team's simulator.

But speaking shortly after the news of his Red Bull switch was announced, Verstappen told his official website: “The next step in my relatively short career so far, is an amazing opportunity.

“I really want to thank Red Bull Racing and Dr. Helmut Marko for the confidence they have in me. I’ll have the chance to learn a lot from the top team that is Red Bull Racing.

"I’m also looking forward to working with an experienced and proven teammate like Daniel Ricciardo.”

Verstappen also wanted to thank his former Toro Rosso team for all its help over the past few seasons.

“I can’t thank all the people at Scuderia Toro Rosso enough for all their hard work. Everyone back at the factory in Faenza, and Franz Tost in particular, have made an amazing contribution to get me this far in my career. We’ve had an amazing time together.”

“Together with Red Bull Racing we’ll do everything to prepare me as best as possible for my first laps in the RB12 Tag Heuer, next week in Barcelona. I cannot wait for that special moment to happen.”

Tost, meanwhile, had this to say on Kvyat's return to the STR fold: "We are more than happy to welcome Daniil back to Faenza and look forward to having a successful season with him."