Vergne: "Selfish" F1 years behind me now

The CEFC Manor TRS Racing driver made the switch to endurance racing at the start of the season to combine a full FIA World Endurance Championship programme with his Formula E commitments.

“I’m in a state of mind now here in endurance racing where I push myself to the maximum and help my teammates as much as possible,” Vergne told Motorsport.com.

“I know that some drivers coming from F1 do not have the best reputation when they come to endurance as [they are seen to be] selfish and only thinking about themselves. Here at Le Mans I am putting this into practice because I know I have to learn every aspect.”

Vergne ascribed his new approach to the realisation that life beyond F1 necessitated a reset and a new need to prove himself in a different discipline of racing.

“I have changed from that driver and I am a changed driver, I’ve had to do this,” he said. “Maybe I was one of those selfish guys, but of course in F1 this is how you have to be in your environment to prove yourself.

"Now I know that I have to carve a new reputation entirely when you come to Le Mans and WEC.”

A test for Toyota at the end of 2015 at Paul Ricard didn’t lead to a firm offer from the Japanese manufacturer, but as Vergne himself acknowledged, he was still focused on getting back in to F1.

That year he started his management relationship with renowned sports manager Julian Jakobi.

“I was in a mindset, yes, where I came straight from F1 and had not changed or adapted. Now I 100 percent have changed,” insisted the 26 year-old.

“Julian’s advice and experience has been vital. My state of mind now as a driver is drastically opposite to what I was two years ago and healthier.

"I stepped back, looked at things and knew I had to change my approach and to prove myself in endurance racing, so I am in a good position now for my future career.”