Vergne set for Toro Rosso exit - reports
This may indeed be the end of the line for Jean-Eric Vergne.
jean-Eric Vergne appears to have missed out on a Toro Rosso seat for 2015.
Prior to Sebastian Vettel's shock Red Bull exit, Frenchman Vergne had already been left out of junior team Toro Rosso's plans for 2015.
Apparently there are things that are more important to Red Bull than points.
Jean-Eric Vergne
The Faenza based team had announced that 17-year-old rookie Max Verstappen will join Daniil Kvyat next year. But when the Vettel news struck, Red Bull quickly promoted Russian Kvyat, leaving 24-year-old Vergne still in the running to keep his Toro Rosso seat.
Vergne visibly unhappy in Abu Dhabi
Although he had seemed upbeat about his chances in recent weeks, however, French reporters on Saturday noticed that at the Abu Dhabi finale, Vergne's body language has suddenly changed.
When asked if double points on Sunday will change the team's approach to the race, Vergne answered: "Apparently there are things that are more important to Red Bull than points."
He is probably referring to the fact that, despite the promotion of teammate Kvyat to the senior team, Vergne's current teammate has actually scored less points in 2014.
The French publications RMC and L'Equipe surmised that Vergne's attitude indicates he has been overlooked for the 2015 seat at Toro Rosso, perhaps in favour of Carlos Sainz jr.
L'Equipe quotes Vergne as saying: "No matter what happens in this Grand Prix, whether I score 1 point or 10 points, nothing will change."
Sainz is not the only contender to replace Vergne.
New GP3 champion Alex Lynn is clearly in the running, but RMC reports that 18-year-old Pierre Gasly, runner-up to Sainz in the Formula Renault 3.5 series, could make his debut next year if Red Bull is asked to run a third car.
The report said F1's Strategy Group will discuss the issue of third cars on Tuesday.
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Pierre Gasly: Alpine's Dutch GP upgrades "critical" for F1 2026 chances
Alpine explains Pierre Gasly crash that red-flagged FP2
Pierre Gasly tests new A110 Future prototype with Duke of Richmond at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Arvid Lindblad exclusive: "I never had a plan B, I didn't want to settle for a normal life"
Racing Bulls boss’ advice to his F1 drivers: Learn from Max Verstappen’s radio
How Arvid Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
MotoGP British GP: Raul Fernandez dominates as Jorge Martin extends points lead
Otmar Szafnauer tells Ferrari to 'leave Charles Leclerc alone' amid Lewis Hamilton battle
Mika Hakkinen urges McLaren not to "rock the boat" with Max Verstappen move
Live: MotoGP British Grand Prix as it happens
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Why it will “take years” for Cadillac to reach the level F1 rivals are operating at
Why Aston Martin is a better destination on the F1 driver market than it seems
How the McLaren MP4/8B's engine blow-up changed F1 history
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments