Vergne does not think about Red Bull
Barely arrived in F1, and already in line to replace Mark Webber: such is the predetermined fate of drivers marked by Red Bull. It's an objective that Jean-Eric Vergne prefers not to dwell on.
The beginnings of Jean-Eric Vergne in Formula 1, driving the Scuderia Toro Rosso car, should, like all beginnings, be marked by learning and the calm acquisition of experience. However, the 2012 season will likely be the last for Mark Webber at Red Bull, the parent team. As a result, being a pure product of the subsidiary set up by the Austrian energy drink giant, the Frenchman is logically among the contenders for this position.
Asked by the television channel Servus TV, he emphasized being mostly concerned about the upcoming season: « Since I started karting, I have always had the philosophy of thinking only about the present. For example, I have never thought of Formula 1, except since I’ve been there. In 2012, I drive for Toro Rosso; 2013 does not interest me at the moment. I will give my best and we will see what happens. » Armed with rhetoric that the greatest footballers of our time would envy, Vergne does not position himself as an overly ambitious contender—as was the case with Jaime Alguersuari, currently without a ride—at least not for now.
An attitude that contrasts with that of Daniel Ricciardo, his teammate for the upcoming season, but above all his main rival since he too was nurtured with a taurine-filled Red Bull bottle: « Obviously, I would be happy to drive for Red Bull – it’s the goal of all the young drivers in the program. If we do everything correctly and get the right results, maybe we will achieve that in a year, or two, or three. »
When asked if he has a slight advantage over Jean-Eric Vergne due to his half-season in 2011 driving an HRT, Ricciardo remains cautious: « I think it might be a little easier for me to get into the season, but the advantage won’t last long. I’m sure it will help me, but there are a lot of tests before Melbourne and we will both be ready. »
As a reminder, Toro Rosso will launch its new STR7 during the first pre-season testing session, which will take place from Tuesday, February 7 to Friday, February 10, and you can follow it, as well as the other two sessions, on MotorsInside.
