Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/879686
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2017 20 FRENCH driver Pierre Gasly will make his Formula One debut at the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend after being drafted in by the Toro Rosso team in place of under-per- forming Russian Daniil Kvyat. The Red Bull-owned team said the switch, for an unspeci- fied number of races, "gives us an opportunity to make a more informed decision regarding our 2018 driver choices". "This is not a case of good- bye for our Daniil, as he still remains part of the Red Bull Family," the team added in a statement, although the future does not look bright for the Russian. Gasly, the 2016 GP2 cham- pion who is currently racing in Japan's Super Formula series, is the leading contender to re- place Carlos Sainz when the Spaniard leaves Toro Rosso on loan to Renault next season. Kvyat could be retained but has scored only four points in 14 races compared to Sainz's 48, with the team locked in a tight midfield battle. They are sixth overall, seven points behind Williams and 10 ahead of Renault. Renault had hoped to secure Sainz before the end of the season but Tuesday's move in- dicates the departing Jolyon Palmer will now see out 2017 in that seat. Toro Rosso, who are switch- ing from Renault to Honda en- gines next year, can ill-afford to lose Sainz with six races re- maining. Gasly is already under con- tract to Red Bull who use Toro Rosso as a feeder outfit for their main factory team. Japan follows immediately after Ma- laysia and is familiar territory for the 21-year-old. He may miss the U.S. Grand Prix on Oct. 22, however, since that clashes with the final round of the Super Formula championship at Suzuka. "He (Gasly) is the next in line at Red Bull for this opportu- nity and he has shown that he deserves it," team boss Franz Tost said. Kvyat has already been through the process, moving up to Red Bull Racing in 2015 and suffering a demotion last year when he swapped places with Dutch teenager Max Ver- stappen. "For a variety of reasons, some of them due to techni- cal problems, but others being mistakes of his own making, Daniil Kvyat has not really shown his true potential so far this year," Tost said. "This will give us the op- portunity to evaluate Pierre on track during a proper race weekend." Gasly's arrival means France will have three drivers in Sun- day's race at Sepang, the new- comer joining compatriots Romain Grosjean (Haas) and Esteban Ocon (Force India). Sport SPORTTODAY FORMULA 1 FOOTBALL Gasly replaces Kvyat at Toro Rosso for next races Pierre Gasly Rafa Benitez Enjoy it while Benitez is there, Carragher tells Newcastle JAMIE Carragher does not ex- pect Rafa Benitez to have a long stint at Newcastle United but backed the Spanish manager to keep the promoted side in the Premier League. Former England international Carragher, who played under Benitez at Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, feels the manag- er could leave if he falls out with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. Benitez was unhappy with the club's business in the trans- fer market after failing to land their main targets despite Ash- ley promising him "every last penny" to improve the side. "If I'm being totally honest, I don't expect to see Rafa Benitez at Newcastle over a sustained, long period of time," Carragher told Sky Sports. "I think eventually something will happen with him and the owner and unfortunately for Newcastle this is not going to be a happy and long marriage. "So enjoy it while he's here." Carragher, who was part of the Liverpool side that won the Champions League in 2005, said Benitez will ensure New- castle are not in the relegation fight. "I don't think there's any chance of Newcastle going down, just because of the man- ager. He is very pragmatic and he'll make it very difficult," he said. "In every game Newcastle have, you'll very rarely see them lose 4-0 or 5-0, as you might see teams in the bottom half of the table. "I think that's where Newcas- tle will be, but I don't expect to see them in a relegation fight." Newcastle, who have nine points from six games, will look to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion when they host Liver- pool in the Premier League on Sunday.