Former F1 Driver Daniil Kvyat Set to Make NASCAR Cup Series Debut

Former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

Kvyat, 26, will race for Team Hezeberg in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on July 31. Kvyat last raced in Formula 1 in 2020 with AlphaTauri. A product of the Red Bull program, he raced from 2014-20 with Toro Rosso, Red Bull and AlphaTauri.

The Russian Kvyat finished a career-best seventh in the F1 Drivers' Standings in 2015 with Red Bull and posted three podium finishes in 110 career starts. He was champion of the GP3 series in 2013.

His first podium came at the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix, where he became the second youngest driver, at the age of 21, to claim a podium finish. Kvyat finished his F1 career at Alpine as a reserve driver in 2021.

“I’m very happy to be able to make my NASCAR Cup Series debut at Indianapolis," Kvyat said. "I have always been passionate about racing in NASCAR, the top form of motorsport in the United States. NASCAR has always been intriguing to me, as it is a pure form of motorsport to me.”

Kvyatt will drive the No. 26 Toyota Camry TRD this weekend. Kvyat hopes this week's move to NASCAR will lead to a a chance to compete in the series on a regular basis.

“I’m looking forward to being successful in this form of motorsport, and I hope to contend for wins and championships in the future. I can’t thank NASCAR, Josh Reaume, Toine Hezemans, Ernst Berg, and everybody at Team Hezeberg enough for the opportunity.

"The guys at the shop have been working tirelessly to prepare the machine and myself for this experience. It will be my first time at Indianapolis, and I am looking forward to seeing it in person. From what I have seen on video, Indianapolis is a challenging circuit, but I’m looking forward to that challenge, along with competing in the NASCAR Cup Series.”

Josh Reaume, co-owner of Team Hezeberg, is anxious to see what Kvyat can accomplish in a Next-Gen Toyota race car at Indianapolis.

“Daniil is a very talented driver with an amazing amount of open-wheel experience," Reaume said. "In my opinion, NASCAR is a great spot for Daniil to end up at, especially with the Next-Gen’s capabilities throughout many styles of racing. I’m looking forward to being a part of Daniil’s transition to NASCAR, and helping him however I possibly can.”

Kvyat's start will be the fourth of the season in the Cup Series for Team Hezeberg. Jacques Villenevue finished 22nd for the team at the season-opening Daytona 500, and Loris Hezeman from the Netherlands finished 34th for the team at Circuit of the Americas and 37th at Road America. Kvyat attended the Road America race.