Vergne: « I wouldn’t do worse than Webber »
The French driver reflects on his tests with Red Bull during the Rookie Days and believes he has enough experience to make the big leap into Formula One, assuring that he would do "no worse than Mark Webber" at the wheel of the RB7.
In the column he contributes to the site Sports.fr, Jean-Eric Vergne, Red Bull’s third driver, reflected on the three days of testing he completed for the reigning double world champion team during the young driver tests in Abu Dhabi: « These rookie tests were really amazing, three golden days as you might expect when you’re given the chance to drive the best Formula 1 car on the grid. I don’t think there’s much to say to describe my feelings. […] Red Bull is used to working with exceptional drivers, so it’s not easy to judge. They expected precise feedback from me, consistent performances, and comprehensive technical comments. In that regard, I clearly fulfilled my contract. I read Ian Morgan’s statements upon my return, and it’s positive, of course, I won’t hide that.
Ian Morgan, head of engineering at Red Bull, has indeed been full of praise for the Frenchman: « I must say I was very impressed by him during these tests. He hasn’t really driven our car for long before this week, but he didn’t make a single mistake. He is good at collecting information and using it as required, he was consistent and controlled himself. He was able to do what we asked of him and set a time when we needed it: he did a good job. »
JEV went into detail about his notable performance: « Personally, I tried to be a sponge, to absorb a lot of things, to keep learning. I know that people were focusing on my times, that by driving the Red Bull they expected me to set the fastest time each day. Yet that wasn’t the goal set, I wasn’t there for that. The best time was set with a car that wasn’t at its maximum potential, far from it. We were driving during the day, so in conditions very different from those of the race, but the rubber level wasn’t the same, because the Pirellis don’t lay rubber on the track like the Bridgestones did. So it’s difficult to compare from the outside. Inside the team, we can do it more, and I’m satisfied with the result. »
As a result, the runner-up of the World Series by Renault 3.5 feels ready for F1 duty and is clearly applying for the second seat, at the expense of Mark Webber: The Red Bull is appealing, but I know teams are watching closely, cautiously assessing young drivers. However, the only top team that dared to hire one recently did it with Hamilton, and it worked. We have very similar preparation. Physically, I’ve done everything I could, coming off three days of testing without any issues, I don’t feel like I’ve been driving. I’m learning a lot, gathering as much information as possible on the simulator, which has helped me immensely. I would, therefore, have no trouble getting to know the tracks and the developments that come during the season. What more can I do? So, I believe that if I were put in the Red Bull, I wouldn’t do worse than Webber. That’s my impression, at least after these tests, even though he has a lot of experience. The Australian will appreciate that!
In the meantime, the native of Pontoise will have a new opportunity – the last one this season – to prove himself with Toro Rosso, before knowing my program for next season.
Vergne has already had the opportunity to drive the STR6 during the first free practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and took advantage of his column to explain what distinguishes the two single-seaters stamped with the now-famous red bull that he had the chance to drive a few days apart: They are not so far apart. In F1, we work on extremes, on details. Red Bull pushes every technology, every element. In the end, it may be one or two tenths in certain corners, key sections, and that can make you one or two seconds per lap.
Update: Renaud Derlot, a friend and mentor to the French driver, explained to Jean-Louis Moncet that the driver’s statements had been misrepresented: « Each time, I record all of Jean-Eric’s interviews. I’m actually the only one who did it that day since the journalist from Sports.fr did not. I can therefore affirm […], that what the journalist from Sports.fr attributed to Jean-Eric is FALSE. In the end, it’s a real shame, I actually spoke with the journalist last night, who apologized to me and also to Jean-Eric. » However, the Sports.fr website has neither modified the content of the column nor issued an official denial of the Frenchman’s statements.
