Christian Horner backs pressured Daniil Kvyat

Daniil Kvyat of Russia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing looks on in the garage during practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on September 25, 2015
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Christian Horner moves to lift the pressure from the shoulders of Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat.

Christian Horner has moved to lift the pressure from the shoulders of Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat.

There is speculation that the energy drink company may need to promote teenager Max Verstappen from Toro Rosso or risk losing him to a major rival like Mercedes or Ferrari for 2017.

It could be Kvyat who needs to switch back to the junior camp to make room, and amid those rumours the 21-year-old suffered an awful and mysterious qualifying performance in Bahrain.

The Russian also struggled in Australia, but Horner says that Kvyat's recovery to seventh place in Bahrain last Sunday showed he is back on track.

"It was a good performance from him," the Red Bull team boss said, according to Russia's Sportbox.

"I think this race will completely restore his confidence, if there was something not right with that. He was strong in every area. I think everything will be fine.

"We still need to fully understand what happened in qualifying, but it's 90 per cent that it had something to do with the tyre temperature."

The season continues with the Chinese Grand Prix on April 17.

Daniel Ricciardo is all smiles during the Italian GP practice on September 4, 2015
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