The Red Bull failure made Vergne a better driver

Daniel Ricciardo was chosen over Jean-Eric Vergne to support Sebastian Vettel within the Red Bull Racing team this year, and the Frenchman believes that, despite the missed opportunity, it has allowed him to become a better driver.

Following this decision by the energy drinks brand, JEV decided to undergo personal introspection that made him better, especially from a mental standpoint, as he told Autosport: « Of course, it was a difficult moment for me to go through, and naturally, I took it as a loss and bad luck. I really took the time this winter to look at myself in the mirror. I realized it was a good thing for me not to have gone to Red Bull. »

Two years after his debut in F1, he believes that this wake-up call has been and will be beneficial to him: « I’m happy to be here and becoming a better driver. I see myself as a really weak driver last year, especially in the head. So I think if I had gone to Red Bull, it would have been a win for us and all the work I’ve done this winter, I wouldn’t have done it the same way. It would have been a nasty surprise to fight against Sebastian. »

Since Toro Rosso’s beginnings in 2006, only Sébastien Buemi had managed to remain a full-time driver for three consecutive years, and Vergne will be the second to benefit from such treatment. While Red Bull’s young drivers program is not known for being lenient, the Frenchman believes he can keep his place within the Faenza team beyond 2014.

« I see Toro Rosso having great potential. I am really happy to be in this team this year. I think I am in a good position at Toro Rosso and they have a good structure for the future. […] I believe in the team and I think they believe in me as well, and I don’t see this as my last year at Toro Rosso. If I really improve as a driver and the team sees great potential in me and I see good progress from the team, I will be more than happy to continue with this team, » added Jean-Eric Vergne.