Kvyat could not handle the pressure, claims Red Bull

At his home Grand Prix in Sochi on Sunday, Kvyat collided with former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel twice in the opening three corners, also costing team-mate Daniel Ricciardo time in the process.

Daniil Kvyat at the Russian Grand Prix.

Daniil Kvyat was dropped by Red Bull to sister team Toro Rosso because the pressure grew too much for him to handle, according to Helmut Marko.

At his home Grand Prix in Sochi on Sunday, Kvyat collided with former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel twice in the opening three corners, also costing team-mate Daniel Ricciardo time in the process.

As a result, Kvyat has since been dropped to Toro Rosso, with Max Verstappen making the step up to partner Ricciardo.

And Marko, who heads up Red Bull's driver development programme, believes the decision will benefit Kvyat in the long-term.

"The decision was made after Russia," Marko told Auto Bild Motosport.

"It has emerged more and more, that Daniil is no match for the pressure of Daniel Ricciardo. We wanted to take him out of the firing line and help his career instead of harming it."