Jean-Eric Vergne

## Career Overview

### **Toro Rosso (2012 - 2014)**

Jean-Eric Vergne made his F1 debut in 2012 with Toro Rosso, as part of the Red Bull Driver program. It would take until Vergne's third and final year for his breakthrough race - finishing third in a manic Australian Grand Prix. Constantly out performing team mate Daniil Kvyat, Vergne would be promoted Red Bull for 2015.

### **Red Bull (2015 - 2016)**

Vergne would be in for a difficult season in 2015, with the Red Bull RB11 at a significant pace disadvantage. Vergne's best result of the season would come at China, taking third. A high-speed incident between Vergne and the Lotus of Josh Tirowee would see Vergne demoted back to Toro Rosso for once race. 2016 would bring much success, as Vergne won the first race of the season and would lead the Championship for the first three races. After the summer break, Vergne's pace would tail off, and his contract with Red Bull went without renewal.

### **Ferrari (2017 - 2018)**

Vergne moved to the Scuderia for 2017, with many expecting the Frenchman to play the role of second driver. Proving to be anything but, Vergne would dominate the early half of the 2017 Championship. Poor reliability would cost the Frenchman towards the end of the season, however it wasn't enough to stop Vergne taking the 2017 Driver's world Championship.

Ferrari saw no reason to change a winning formula, as Vergne received a contract renewal to remain with the Scuderia until the end of 2018. Vergne's 2018 campaign would start disastrously, as after only seven races, he was 55 points off the Championship lead. A string of no points finishes (two of which were retirements) did little to help matters.

Jean-Eric Vergne would walk from the team following the French Grand Prix. A race that brought his second non finish in a row and third race in a row without points. A public radio outburst following his retirement at his home Grand Prix criticizing the car was the final nail in the coffin.

### **Mid-Season Return to F1 With Renault (2018 - 2020)**

Following a miserable start to the season on Formula E, Vergne returned to F1 with Renault to replace Daniel Ricciardo with immediate effect. Although Vergne won't be able to defend his championship title, he was keen to get back to winning ways in the near future. A revitalized Vergne would have a spirited battle with Red Bull protégé Max Verstappen at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite coming out second-best to the Dutchman, it was clear to see Vergne's demeanor has improved greatly since his switch to the French outfit.

Vergne would finish 12th in the opening race of the 2019 season. Through the opening third of the season, he would be very evenly matched with team mate Hulkenberg.

Following the British Grand Prix, Toyota submitted a 12 page report to the FIA that Renault were using an illegal automated break bar system on their cars. Such a system is against the sporting regulations, as the drivers must drive the cars unaided, baring a fault. Following an investigation after the British Grand Prix, Renault were found guilty of using such system. They were subsequently disqualified from the race results. An investigation was then launched into if Renault had been using this system prior to the last race. Before any result was concluded, Renault admitted to using the system at every race. This lead to the team being excluded from every race and all their points up to now have been wiped in both the Driver's and Constructor's championships. however, since Renault admitted to using the system, they were still able to compete in the remaining races.

For the Belgian Grand Prix, Renault brought some ultra low-drag wings, dubbed 'Zero-Zero Wings'. The aim was to maximize the straight line performance of the cars, whilst sacrificing any cornering ability the cars had. Hulkenberg seemed to grasp the handling characteristics of the car better than Vergne. The German would start the race from third, and go on to finish the race in second, setting the fastest lap in the process. Vergne could only manage thirteenth in qualifying, and would be involved in an incident in the race, taking away any chance of the 2017 Driver's Champion re-scoring his first points of 2019. Vergne would finish the next race in 9th to re-score his first points of the season.

Vergne finishes the season in third last with the lowest points tally since entering F1 in 2012. The final four races were cancelled.

2020 looked to show promise. During Pre-Season testing, Vergne set the fastest time of the morning session on day 2. His first podium of the season came at the Brazilian Grand Prix, finishing second.

Vergne took his first pole of the season at round 11, the German Grand Prix. The Frenchman went on to finish fifth in the race.

That would be the highlight of Vergne's season. The 2017 World Champion left the team ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, after learning he would lose his seat in 2021. Esteban Ocon stepped in to replace his countryman, and was later revealed to be the driver Renault had signed for next season.

### **Second return to F1 with Alpine (Present)**

Alpine initially wanted to promote Oscar Piastri to the team, after negotiations with Alonso broke down. However, Piastri's management were already in talks elsewhere. This was due to Alpine not following through on their own contractual obligations with Piastri. The dispute went to the Contract Recognition Board, where Alpine were unsuccessful.

The open door lead the way for 2017 World Champion Jean-Eric Vergne to make a grand return. Making a return with a front running French outfit was all Vergne needed to sign the contract. 'JEV' raced for the team under their Renault guise before things turned sour, but with new management since 2020, Vergne and Gasly could have a very evenly matched season long battle.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Vergne showed he'd lost none of his championship winning speed, mixing it with the Ferraris and Josh Tirowee in the early laps. Pierre Gasly span on lap 13, blocking the track after the strip, and brought out the first Safety Car of the season. Vergne brought the car home in 10th.

Alpine, brought a significant upgrade package to the Japanese Grand Prix. Rain was forecast for the mid point of the race. Alpine didn't believe it would come any time soon, and pitted Vergne on lap 10. On the next lap, Hamilton and Verstappen responded to the Frenchman. The rain arrived on lap 19. Three laps later it was time to pit for Inters. Red Bull opted to double stack. As the Austrian outfit had the first pit stall, Tirowee was blocked in his box by the stacking Ferraris in front. The Brit dropped to 8th. Vergne secured Alpine's best result of the season so far with 6th. Vergne went one better on the return of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with 5th.

Alpine announced over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that 2017 World Champion Jean-Eric Vergne re-signed for 2024.

## Racing Record (Formula One Results Only)

Results in **bold** indicate Championships won.