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
“Am I confident? Probably not” – The unprecedented challenge Singapore is throwing at F1 drivers
Franco Colapinto: I have full support from Alpine F1 boss Flavio Briatore
What we learned from the Monaco GP Court of Appeal hearing
Racing Bulls "not in a rush" to decide between three "fantastic" drivers for F1 2027
Arvid Lindblad issues apology after Racing Bulls team-mate clash in Baku
How Arvid Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
Toto Wolff hits back at “brainless” George Russell conspiracy theory
George Russell thinks the panic over Mercedes’ failed F1 upgrades is completely wrong
Racing Bulls "not in a rush" to decide between three "fantastic" drivers for F1 2027
Mandalika gravel traps under fire again after Fabio Quartararo tumble: "They have to do something"
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
No denying it now – the one reason why F1’s ‘horrible’ start in Malaysia could be a good thing
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
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