Formula 1 veteran David Coulthard has backed Red Bull's controversial decision to oust Daniil Kvyat and replace him with Max Verstappen.

After the first four grands prix of the season the Russian was demoted back to Toro Rosso with immediate effect.

"It makes for some excitement in Formula 1 that of course everyone is talking about," the Scot, a former Red Bull driver and now respected commentator and broadcaster, as quoted as saying by De Telegraaf.

"So it's good news."

It is the very best news for Verstappen, even if some wonder that making a mid-season switch to a truly top team might be coming too soon for an 18-year-old.

"Max is ready for this opportunity," Coulthard insisted. "He has the speed and the intelligence.

"I think Carlos Sainz is also ready, but you can't put two drivers in one car. It's a great opportunity for Max but it doesn't mean Carlos will not get a chance later this year. Or that Daniil Kvyat cannot come back.

"Things can change quickly."

The former 13-time race winner therefore rejected the theory that Red Bull have overstepped the mark with a particularly brutal move against Kvyat.

"Actually," he said, "all the Red Bull and Toro Rosso drivers have contracts with the same employer," he is quoted as saying by Russia's Sportbox.

"If you recall, when I started to drive for the team in 2005, at the wheel of the second car they constantly changed between Tonio Liuzzi and Christian Klien.

"So this has always been part of the Red Bull philosophy. It's a company that likes to promote its young talent. You can understand how disappointed Daniil must be right now, but the most important thing for him is that he is still in Formula 1 and the Red Bull family."

Red Bull and Toro Rosso are currently fourth and fifth respectively in the team rankings.