Daniil Kvyat says he feared he would lose his Formula One seat at Toro Rosso for 2017 heading into this year's summer break.
On Saturday it was confirmed that Kvyat would remain with Toro Rosso for next season. The Russian was replaced at Red Bull by Max Verstappen after just four races this year and endured a difficult mid-season, admitting at the German Grand Prix that his struggles felt "never ending".
"I had a bit of a drop down on my performance in the middle of the year, obviously for various reasons," Kvyat explained. "At that point it looked like I wouldn't be in [Toro Rosso] really if I continued like that.
"Then I managed to get everything together after the summer break and it was a very important few races because in Red Bull, if you have a trust from them you can be sure it's because you are a very good driver."
Following the August break, and rumours that he could be replaced by Red Bull young driver Pierre Gasly at Toro Rosso for next year, Kvyat enjoyed a revitalised run of form, highlighted in Singapore with a gutsy drive to ninth place. Kvyat reckons his performances in recent races was the catalyst in securing his place on the F1 grid for next season.
"I knew that if I did a good job with good results they are going to keep me, so that's what I did after the summer break and even if it was very difficult with this power unit issues and so on, the only real opportunity to shine was Singapore.
"To be honest there was quite a lot of pressure because I knew that was the only place with some good opportunities and I delivered there. There were a few good qualifying's after that and I felt again back to my normal.
"In Singapore everything came together and it all felt good again. It felt like my whole motivation, my whole spark came back and I felt very comfortable again in what I was doing and I really started to enjoy it."
When asked if he feels like he has been handed a second chance following his troubles this year, Kvyat -- who will enter his fourth F1 season in 2017 -- replied: "It does in a way, yes, because this year has been incredibly long and rocky. It's good to settle down now and get this chance because next year everything starts from zero.
"It's a new car, a new opportunity and a new season. So of course I'm going to do my absolute best to use this chance as well as possible and it all comes together much better now."