Toro Rosso have made the surprising decision to name 19-year-old Daniil Kvyat as the partner for Jean-Eric-Vergne next season.
The teenage Russian replaces Daniel Ricciardo, who, following the retirement of Mark Webber, has been promoted by the Red Bull feeder team to race alongside Sebastian Vettel in 2014.
Kvyat, a GP3 driver, earned his seat by impressing Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost with his strong performance and "very informative technical feedback" in a test ride at Silverstone in July.
"This suggests that the basic qualities from which he can progress are all in place," Tost told reporters.
"Daniil can be sure that we will use all our experience of training youngsters to give him the best possible start to his Formula 1 career."
Frenchman Vergne, who has picked up 13 points this campaign, has been retained for a third straight year.
