Just a few days after it emerged that Kvyat was a target for Force India, Toro Rosso confirmed that it was keeping the same line-up of Kvyat and Carlos Sainz for 2017.

With Renault also having sounded out Sainz, a press release from Toro Rosso said: "To those other teams who have been sniffing around our talented pair, well hands off, they're staying put!"

Kvyat welcomed the decision by his Red Bull bosses to retain him, having worked hard this season to overcome difficulties he faced earlier this year after he was forced to return to Toro Rosso.

"I'd like to thank Red Bull, Dr. Marko and all the team for their support and the faith they have shown in me since I returned to the team earlier this year," said Kvyat.

"I'm very happy to stay with a team that feels like home to me. I'm really looking forward to continuing the hard work together in 2017 and I'm really aiming high. I will always be fully dedicated, giving my '200 percent', and I will be pushing as hard as I usually do, that's for sure. I'm delighted!"

Team principal Franz Tost said that with the car changes on the table for next year, it was important for his outfit to have stability.

"It makes a change to announce our driver line-up relatively early," he said. "There are so many new elements coming to Formula 1 in general and to our team specifically, in terms of the change of power unit supplier, that having the same two drivers gives us stability and a benchmark to work from.

"For Carlos, it will be his third year with us, which speaks volumes when it comes to how highly we rate him. In recent races, it has been clear that Daniil is back on top form.

"I always told him that his future with us was in his hands and he has stepped up to the mark and delivered the sort of performances that have ensured his 2017 seat in the STR12. We now have a very talented and strong driver pairing to tackle a season in which we expect to be very competitive."