Jean-Eric Vergne, Formula E driver for the DS-Techeetah team and ex-Formula 1 driver, spoke about the undersides of his time with the Toro Rosso team and his experience with the Red family Bull, in an interview for the Formula 1 – Beyond the Grid podcast.
Jean-Eric Vergne is a gross product of Red Bull Driver Academy. In this interview he explains that talent is not everything: “ All drivers or ex-Formula 1 drivers all have more or less the same talent. It’s the work that makes the difference.“. Attitude also counts and the French are not sparing on this subject.
The Red Bull family is known not to be the kindest with these pilots, especially with the uncompromising Helmut Marko -director of the Red Bull Driver Academy-. This therefore leaves no room for error on the track but also off the track… Example in Malaysian Grand Prix in 2012 : the Toro-Rosso driver scores his first points, obtaining a good 8e place for his second race in Formula 1, while his teammate finishes 12th : » On arrival, I was not smiling. I did not share the joy of the team because of my mentality which made me want more. Unlike Daniel [Ricciardo] who would smile all the time and knew how to surround himself better within the Red Bull family. “Result: a few months later, Jean-Eric Vergne is refused the seat of Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo having been preferred.
L’year 2014 this time confronts the tricolor to Daniil Kvyat. The season is going well and despite 10 extra pounds, the car bearing the number 25 and its driver largely dominate Russian. Until he got a phone call at dawn Singapore Grand Prix : » Helmut Marko called me to tell me that the adventure with Red Bull was over. But I asked him what would happen if Sebastian Vettel left the Red Bull team? And he answered me: “he will not leave the stable”. Only, a few weeks later, Sebastian Vettel announces his departure from Ferrari…. And once again, the Austrian group preferred the Frenchman’s teammate: ” In the end, the timing was bad. Because if they had announced my end of adventure with them later, I think it could have been me instead of Kvyat that year. “
The former Formula 1 driver admits to having in since his adventure in the premier class. ” I would do things differently if I had another chance in Formula 1. I wasn’t at the right time, in the right place. Especially with the mentality I had at the time and my way of working. I saw it when I arrived in Formula E. “He indicates in particular to have crossed a psychological course with the help of his manager, Julian Jakobi : » Dince I have met Julian, he has helped me a lot and especially in the success I have had in Formula E. If I have understood anything since then it is that it is up to you to create your chance and opportunities. You can’t let things come to you. And that’s what has changed since I’ve been at Techeetah, that’s why we are able to shine with the team«
In the meantime, the Parisian has enjoyed success in Formula E. He has become double champion of the discipline and continues to race in an electric single-seater. He is also preparing his future adventure with the Peugeot Sport group for the endurance world championship on the horizon 2023.
Jean-Eric Vergne, Formula E driver for the DS-Techeetah team and ex-Formula 1 driver, spoke about the undersides of his time with the Toro Rosso team and his experience with the Red family Bull, in an interview for the Formula 1 – Beyond the Grid podcast.
Jean-Eric Vergne is a gross product of Red Bull Driver Academy. In this interview he explains that talent is not everything: “ All drivers or ex-Formula 1 drivers all have more or less the same talent. It’s the work that makes the difference.“. Attitude also counts and the French are not sparing on this subject.
The Red Bull family is known not to be the kindest with these pilots, especially with the uncompromising Helmut Marko -director of the Red Bull Driver Academy-. This therefore leaves no room for error on the track but also off the track… Example in Malaysian Grand Prix in 2012 : the Toro-Rosso driver scores his first points, obtaining a good 8e place for his second race in Formula 1, while his teammate finishes 12th : » On arrival, I was not smiling. I did not share the joy of the team because of my mentality which made me want more. Unlike Daniel [Ricciardo] who would smile all the time and knew how to surround himself better within the Red Bull family. “Result: a few months later, Jean-Eric Vergne is refused the seat of Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo having been preferred.
L’year 2014 this time confronts the tricolor to Daniil Kvyat. The season is going well and despite 10 extra pounds, the car bearing the number 25 and its driver largely dominate Russian. Until he got a phone call at dawn Singapore Grand Prix : » Helmut Marko called me to tell me that the adventure with Red Bull was over. But I asked him what would happen if Sebastian Vettel left the Red Bull team? And he answered me: “he will not leave the stable”. Only, a few weeks later, Sebastian Vettel announces his departure from Ferrari…. And once again, the Austrian group preferred the Frenchman’s teammate: ” In the end, the timing was bad. Because if they had announced my end of adventure with them later, I think it could have been me instead of Kvyat that year. “
The former Formula 1 driver admits to having in since his adventure in the premier class. ” I would do things differently if I had another chance in Formula 1. I wasn’t at the right time, in the right place. Especially with the mentality I had at the time and my way of working. I saw it when I arrived in Formula E. “He indicates in particular to have crossed a psychological course with the help of his manager, Julian Jakobi : » Dince I have met Julian, he has helped me a lot and especially in the success I have had in Formula E. If I have understood anything since then it is that it is up to you to create your chance and opportunities. You can’t let things come to you. And that’s what has changed since I’ve been at Techeetah, that’s why we are able to shine with the team«
In the meantime, the Parisian has enjoyed success in Formula E. He has become double champion of the discipline and continues to race in an electric single-seater. He is also preparing his future adventure with the Peugeot Sport group for the endurance world championship on the horizon 2023.
