Vergne: “Ferrari, an excellent opportunity for 2016”

Not retained by Toro Rosso at the end of the 2014 season, Jean-Éric Vergne became a test driver for the Ferrari team, where he will mainly work in the simulator in Maranello. The Frenchman will therefore not have stayed out of the F1 world for very long.

For *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, he reflected on the negotiations with Ferrari: « It was very quick, Maurizio Arrivabene called me in December and in no time we reached an agreement. He didn’t know me, I had been part of Red Bull’s circle for many years, but he had never met me. The first impression I had when I met him was of a pleasant person. So how do I feel about being in a big family, I am very happy to have joined Ferrari. »

JEV reflects on his simulator role knowing that Esteban Gutierrez will be the third driver at Ferrari. For him, his role will be more important and more useful: « Honestly, I prefer to work on the simulator and bring something useful to the team rather than serve as a reserve driver. The role of a third driver is to be present at the track without doing something special. For me, if I can’t contribute to the team, it’s frustrating, and I feel that I will have an important task. For me, it’s a big challenge, and I’m ready to give 100% to help Ferrari return to the top. If we succeed and I contribute even a small percentage with my work, then I will be happy. »

Present for the Formula E race held in Argentina this Saturday, where he finished 6th in his second race in the category, the Frenchman took a flight to Maranello for his first time at the factory: « No [I haven’t been to Maranello yet], I will go there just after this race [in Argentina]. Tomorrow night [Monday night, Editor’s note], I will be on a plane to visit Ferrari. It will be the first time and I am very curious. Who knows how it will be. »

The former teammate of Daniel Ricciardo looks back on his departure from Toro Rosso and has no regrets: « All I wanted [was to stay], I think even Franz Tost and Helmut Marko wanted to keep me. Now they are focusing on a line of young talent and that’s what they’re doing. No, I am not disappointed. I know I gave my best and did my best and that’s why I have no regrets. Now I am with Ferrari, which is also a great opportunity for 2016. For me, it’s better to be with Ferrari even without racing than to race with Marussia or Caterham at the back of the grid. »

To conclude this interview, Jean Eric Vergne reflected on Sebastian Vettel’s role: « I have known him since I started working on the Red Bull simulator when I was racing in F3, when I was 18 and he was starting in F1. I’ve always had an excellent relationship with him, as well as with Kimi. Clearly, the fact that he went to Ferrari surely helped, but I know that my name was a collective choice. I talked a lot with Massimo Rivola, for example. »