year from him and we got it.---AP NFL websi | Forum

Christian Horner addresses the media ahead of the Spanish GP and covers all topics regarding the Max Verstappen and Daniil Kvyat swap between Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Nike Air Max Zero Essential Mens .Daniil said he hasnt had a real explanation as to why this decision was made, whats your explanation for the move?Christian Horner: Of course, many people will judge it to be harsh or unjust, possibly. But Red Bull is in a unique position where we have four cockpits in Formula 1 in Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso, and at the moment theyre four relatively competitive cockpits. We have an awful lot of information about the drivers. They come through the junior programme, we see how they develop on the simulator, we analyse their performance in the car, we generate a huge amount of data, knowledge, information, together with other testing that we do with the drivers.We came to the conclusion that Daniil has been struggling a little bit for form compared to his team-mate, there had been a consistent pattern there. The discussion arose about Max and within the contractual situation that we have with these drivers and the four cockpits we had a unique opportunity to shuffle the order.So, rather than waiting until later in the year we elected to get on and do that in time for the European season and thus effectively switch the two drivers, Verstappen into the Red Bull Racing car and Daniil into the Toro Rosso. Kvyat shocked by demotion Daniil Kvyat has admitted he was shocked by his demotion from Red Bull to junior outfit Toro Rosso Does that mean you would have done the same if the accident in Russia had not happened?CH: I think the accident in Russia for many people is seen as a catalyst but theres obviously an awful lot more that is considered than just one Sunday afternoon. As I say, were privy to an awful lot of information with these guys. It wasnt a decision that was taken lightly, and it was given a huge amount of consideration.There were other factors obviously as well regarding the longer term and future of the Red Bull Racing team regarding its driver line-up.You could wait until the test after Silverstone, you could wait until the end of the year, but we elected that actually, if were going to do it, lets get on and do it in time for the European season.Both the drivers were in the factory on Friday of last week testing in the simulator for their respective teams. While it might seem unnatural for another team, the fact that Red Bull does have these four cockpits, it allows us essentially to have that flexibility and deem what we see as putting our best foot forward. Max Verstappen and Daniil Kvyat face the media after it was announced the pair would swap places. When you talk about long term, do you have in mind that other teams are interested in Max as well and this is probably a chance for Red Bull to show him how important he is?CH: Of course. Max Verstappen is, make no mistake about it, one of the hottest properties in Formula 1 at this point in time. Its only natural that other teams would show interest in a driver thats demonstrating that kind of ability and talent. It also kills off the driver market regarding Red Bull drivers, certainly for the foreseeable future.Do you feel sorry for Daniil?CH: Look, I think its a harsh decision. Feeling sorry for Dani, on one hand you can see that hes not driving a Red Bull Racing car, but hes still driving in a competitive car in Formula 1.I think he takes some solace from the fact that any other driver who hasnt succeeded at Toro Rosso or Red Bull Racing hasnt been retained. Formula 1 costs Red Bull tens of millions of pounds, if we didnt believe in him as a talent he wouldnt have been retained.I think putting him into Toro Rosso will enable him to recover his confidence and form and of course we can evaluate it from there. Do you think its fair to suggest that the door hasnt been closed on him coming back here?CH: As weve demonstrated, anything is possible. The contracts that they have obviously permit the team to cross the drivers across those seats.Is there any sense that going forward that if you want to win a Constructors Championship, youve got to have two absolute top drivers in your Red Bull team?CH: You always want to put your best foot forward and have the most competitive driver line-up as you can possibly have.I think a Ricciardo-Verstappen line-up potentially is one of the, if not the, strongest pairing of future years. Of course that depends on how things develop and pan out and how regulation changes come in for next year. With the power units hopefully converging, that provides some opportunities for this team over the next couple of seasons. Daniil Kvyat clarifies whether he keeps his podium. Has Verstappens contractual situation changed in any way during this process?CH: Im not going to tell you what, but yes. Hes beyond any doubt committed to this team for multiple years.Will he get more money as a Red Bull driver?CH: The salaries between the drivers are absolutely fixed so both drivers will be earning the same as what they were earning, respectively.Was Daniil warned that he was effectively driving for his seat?CH: With these guys, theres always pressure. Particularly in our scenario, youve got a junior team where if drivers are performing you have the ability to upgrade drivers. That pressure has inevitably been there since the pre-season test. Thats not something that needs to be spelt out to a driver on a daily basis.Was there some impatience from Verstappens side to make the move earlier in the season?CH: No, there was no pressure at all. Max was actually more surprised than Daniil was, to be honest with you. There was no positioning or pressure from Maxs side or management in any way. We look back at the crash that cost Daniil Kvyat his place in the Red Bull line-up from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. Do you think it could be too early to put him in at 18 against Ricciardo?CH: Certain people said it was too early for him when he came in at 16. I think hes proved to be one of the most exciting things currently about Formula 1 in the paddock.Hes demonstrated that hes got a great amount of natural talent, great natural ability. He can overtake, he can race.Hes got an awful lot to learn but hes got a very mature head on young shoulders. Certainly, everything Ive seen in his development so far has impressed me enormously and I think that curve will continue.Do you think hell give you some flash points in terms of managing him? There seemed to be a break down at Toro Rosso.CH: Im not really aware whats happened at Toro Rosso, I can only judge whats happened at our team. Weve had difficult relationships with our drivers before, it tends to happen when youve got two quick ones.I dont see it being an issue. I think that hes growing as a driver but also as a young man as well. When he gains more experience his outlook is going to change on certain things but you can see this absolute desire burning within him at the moment, and competitiveness, and of course a huge amount of talent.Of course, hes going up against one of the very best drivers in Formula 1 as a benchmark and that is Daniel RIcciardo. The way Daniels driving at the moment I dont believe theres a better driver in Formula 1. The thought of the pairing is fantastically exciting for us.Which driver is under the most pressure in Spain?Watch the Spanish GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV.  Also See: Kvyat shocked by demotion Vettel: Kvyat axing pre-Sochi Nike Air Max Zero Essential White .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Nike Air Max Zero Essential Black . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. http://www.airmaxzerosale.com/ . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Wade Phillips returned to work Monday, his sense of humor still intact after a scary fall when San Diego running back Melvin Gordon plowed into him on the sideline Sunday.I am ok today and back to work at what I love, Phillips wrote on Twitter. I get the big hit award for the week!Oh, and about that tumble ...They say it was a collision on the sideline but actually I got run over, Denvers 69-year-old defensive coordinator tweeted.His defense didnt.The reigning Super Bowl champs hit the halfway point at 6-2 even though their offense remains stuck in neutral and managed just two touchdowns in a half-dozen trips inside the red zone in their 27-19 win over San Diego .The Broncos broke up 13 passes, hit Philip Rivers 17 times and picked off three of his passes even though they were missing two starters in cornerback Aqib Talib and linebacker Brandon Marshall and lost backup cornerback Kayvon Webster to a pulled hamstring Sunday.After Phillips was carted off the field in the second quarter and taken to a hospital, linebackers coach Reggie Herring took over defensive play calls, sending in signals to backup Corey Nelson, who played 77 of 81 snaps in place of Marshall.Phillips was released shortly after the game ended and cleared to return to work.Hes sitting in the back of the meeting just now, hes got a big smile on his face, coach Gary Kubiak said. Hes sore but hes feeling good and back at it. Im trying to get him to go home and rest a little bit today. He didnt want to do that. But hes good. Hes himself today.Asked for specifics on what happened to Phillips, Kubiak said, He just got the heck knocked out of him. I saw the play finally late last night. The turnover, the running back was chasing the ball. He ran through the sidelines, kind of caught Wade up high and it looked like the back of his head hit the ground pretty hard. So, you know, just a scary situation right there. But ... he was talking to us and responding to us on the field. So, we just feel very fortunate that hes OK.Moving Phillips to the coaches box upstairs didnt seem to be something the Broncos are seriously considering at this point.Well see howw Wades feeling, Kubiak said. Nike Air Max Zero Womens White. What Im seeing today, hes himself today and the fact hes battling me today when Im trying to get him to go home and get some rest makes me know hes back to his old self.Besides, Kubiak said, theres a lot of guys down here who cant move very good. It really is scary sometimes, when you have turnovers, field position change, gunners on punt team, youve got to really pay attention and boy, he got caught pretty good. Hes just got to move quicker, I guess.Bradley Roby scored on a 49-yard interception return on the play.Darian Stewarts interception also led to a touchdown, but the Broncos failed to convert T.J. Wards interception into points when rookie running back Devontae Booker fumbled at the 2, one of four failures inside the 20-yard line that kept this one close despite Denvers defensive dominance.Were not even close to what we need to be, said Kubiak, whose team has a Sunday night showdown next weekend at Oakland, also 6-2. We didnt play well yesterday, but the team still found a way to win. So, thats a good sign for the football team.The Broncos rushed for just 57 yards six days after piling up 190 -- but that was with C.J. Anderson, who went on IR after right knee surgery Thursday -- and Trevor Siemian completed just 20 of 38 passes with no touchdowns and a pick-6 on a ball that went off Jordan Norwoods hands.Siemian responded with completions of 40 and 31 yards on his next two throws, leading to a field goal that made it an 8-point game. Then, after Denvers goal-line stand, rookie punter Riley Dixon had his best punt of the season, a 68-yarder.There was no bigger play that that, kicking the ball out of our end zone, Kubiak said. Heck, we had two almost holding calls down there. It was a mess, and the bottom line is we needed the best punt of the year from him and we got it.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton ' ' '