Alpine has revealed that former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat returned to the Enstone team this year as a simulator driver, supporting their improved 2026 campaign. Kvyat, who started 110 grands prix from 2014 to 2020, had previously served as Alpine's reserve driver in 2021 after his Formula 1 career ended.
The Russian shares simulator duties with Alpine reserve drivers Paul Aron and Kush Maini, handling development work and race weekend support when Aron is required at flyaway races. Kvyat maintains direct contact with race driver Pierre Gasly during weekends, leveraging their strong relationship from their Red Bull junior team days.
Kvyat played a significant role in Alpine's successful in-weekend turnarounds in Japan and Canada this season. The team is enjoying a much improved campaign as new technical regulations and their switch to Mercedes engines have launched them back to the head of the midfield after years of struggle.
Since leaving Formula 1, Kvyat has competed in NASCAR, top-level sportscars and Formula E while also serving as a reference driver against autonomous vehicles in Abu Dhabi. He currently races in Japan's Super GT series in the GT300 category alongside veteran driver Takashi Kogure.