Jean-Eric Vergne announces split with Toro Rosso F1 team
Discussion
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116949
Autosport said:
Jean-Eric Vergne has announced that he is splitting with the Toro Rosso Formula 1 team, making Carlos Sainz Jr the favourite for the remaining 2015 seat alongside Max Verstappen.
Vergne had already effectively lost his seat with the team once, when it announced Formula 3 rookie Verstappen and its 2014 driver Daniil Kvyat as its '15 F1 line-up in August.
But the possibility of a reprieve for the Frenchman emerged when Kvyat was promoted to Red Bull instead following Sebastian Vettel's defection to Ferrari.
That chance ended on Wednesday, as Vergne announced via his Twitter feed that his Toro Rosso stint was definitely over.
"Despite a good season and 22 points, I'll not drive any more for Toro Rosso in 2015," he wrote.
"Thanks for those years. Let's go for another big challenge."
Vergne has raced for Toro Rosso since he and Daniel Ricciardo replaced Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari for the 2012 season.
Red Bull had previously backed the Frenchman through a junior career that included the 2010 British F3 title.
With Vergne out of the running, Formula Renault 3.5 champion Sainz becomes the most likely candidate for the second Toro Rosso seat.
Sainz has been testing for Toro Rosso's parent team Red Bull in Abu Dhabi this week.
FR3.5 runner-up Pierre Gasly is an outside contender for Toro Rosso, but is thought more likely to end up in GP2 with DAMS. He is testing for the French squad in Abu Dhabi later this week.
AUTOSPORT understands that an announcement by Toro Rosso is likely to happen next Monday.
Vergne had already effectively lost his seat with the team once, when it announced Formula 3 rookie Verstappen and its 2014 driver Daniil Kvyat as its '15 F1 line-up in August.
But the possibility of a reprieve for the Frenchman emerged when Kvyat was promoted to Red Bull instead following Sebastian Vettel's defection to Ferrari.
That chance ended on Wednesday, as Vergne announced via his Twitter feed that his Toro Rosso stint was definitely over.
"Despite a good season and 22 points, I'll not drive any more for Toro Rosso in 2015," he wrote.
"Thanks for those years. Let's go for another big challenge."
Vergne has raced for Toro Rosso since he and Daniel Ricciardo replaced Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari for the 2012 season.
Red Bull had previously backed the Frenchman through a junior career that included the 2010 British F3 title.
With Vergne out of the running, Formula Renault 3.5 champion Sainz becomes the most likely candidate for the second Toro Rosso seat.
Sainz has been testing for Toro Rosso's parent team Red Bull in Abu Dhabi this week.
FR3.5 runner-up Pierre Gasly is an outside contender for Toro Rosso, but is thought more likely to end up in GP2 with DAMS. He is testing for the French squad in Abu Dhabi later this week.
AUTOSPORT understands that an announcement by Toro Rosso is likely to happen next Monday.
PhillipM said:
Kvyat to stay in Torro Rosso for an additional year under the Red Bull program then, and Button to Red Bull with Ricciardo - taking Vettels old seat - to provide the experience to backup Ric's speed.
Wishful thinking?
Unfortunately, I think so. Say what you like about Red Bull, but at least they have faith in their young driver programme. Not many people could say that. *cough* Ferrari.Wishful thinking?
Edited by PhillipM on Wednesday 26th November 18:15
Speed Badger said:
Did Ted say that then? Sorry I didn't see that, I don't usually watch the gumph after the podium has finished. Well, good possible move anyway, I've long been championing J-EV, can't believe he didn't get a RBR seat.
Not to knock Vergne, but it's hard to see him bettering Ricciardo's results this year.AW111 said:
Speed Badger said:
Did Ted say that then? Sorry I didn't see that, I don't usually watch the gumph after the podium has finished. Well, good possible move anyway, I've long been championing J-EV, can't believe he didn't get a RBR seat.
Not to knock Vergne, but it's hard to see him bettering Ricciardo's results this year.That's true, however I reckon that Vergne in this years Red Bull would have been closer to Ricciardo than Vettel was, which is saying something. And given their comparative pace when both at Toro Rosso, it's hard to argue against that.
I believe that neither stood out particularly against the other at Toro Rosso because they were both super quick. If you had two Alonso's at Toro Rosso for example, neither would really stand out against the other, especially when finishing, say, 9th & 11th. However if you had an Alonso and a Pedro Diniz, one often finishing 7th, the other 15th, it would be obvious and Toro Rosso Alonso would be hailed the next best thing.
I believe that neither stood out particularly against the other at Toro Rosso because they were both super quick. If you had two Alonso's at Toro Rosso for example, neither would really stand out against the other, especially when finishing, say, 9th & 11th. However if you had an Alonso and a Pedro Diniz, one often finishing 7th, the other 15th, it would be obvious and Toro Rosso Alonso would be hailed the next best thing.
Edited by Speed Badger on Thursday 27th November 16:15
Gad-Westy said:
JEV has looked pretty good this year at times and has completely spanked Kyviat, yet Kyviat has ended up in Red Bull. Seems very strange to me and makes me wonder what other factors might have been involved in the decision making.
But he's only having form since the summer breakI think mentally, he is bit weak in comparison to Ricci and a few others.
Guess its easy for him to come across as bit "Im quick than him" when he has seen all this around him- a catch 22.
However, I think mentally, Ric was and is miles ahead.
Jev's main problem, form looking in, is his own - and Red Bull can probs see that hence the others getting the nod.
Guess its easy for him to come across as bit "Im quick than him" when he has seen all this around him- a catch 22.
However, I think mentally, Ric was and is miles ahead.
Jev's main problem, form looking in, is his own - and Red Bull can probs see that hence the others getting the nod.
NewMetalSystem said:
PhillipM said:
Kvyat to stay in Torro Rosso for an additional year under the Red Bull program then, and Button to Red Bull with Ricciardo - taking Vettels old seat - to provide the experience to backup Ric's speed.
Wishful thinking?
Unfortunately, I think so. Say what you like about Red Bull, but at least they have faith in their young driver programme. Not many people could say that. *cough* Ferrari.Wishful thinking?
Edited by PhillipM on Wednesday 26th November 18:15
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