Jean-Éric Vergne to Ferrari
#1
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:41
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#2
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:42
"New test driver".
I'm a bit surprised considering they recently signed Gutierrez as well.
Maybe #JEV has a chance to replace Kimi in 2016 ?
#3
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:43
So, he gets to do even less than Gutierrez? I'm confused.
#4
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:43
Will JEV be the official test and reserve driver or is Guttierez the 3th driver?
Atleast good news for Ferrari and JEV
#5
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:45
#6
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:49
Even if he's getting paid as the official reserve, it's a waste. Why not race elsewhere?
Well I expect JEV to get a drive in the WEC or Blanc Pain series. Together with Gutierez and Fisi for AF Corsa. But I think JEV will be the official 3th driver to replace Kimi in 2016/2017
#7
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:54
I don't think he will be the reserve driver. The difficulty the teams have is there's no point making somebody your official reserve driver unless they're going to come to all the races and be ready to stand in, but most of the best drivers outside F1 are going to be busy doing something else. Vergne is doing FE and has been linked to Indycar and WEC with Nissan for 2015. I doubt he'll be available for that many Grand Prix weekends.
So it makes sense to have a driver who has F1 experience but isn't very good as your official reserve, on the basis that he has nothing better to do than to travel to every single race with Ferrari and not drive, but then to also have somebody better who you could call up if you needed to.
#8
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:55
I guess De la Rosa and Gené are on their way out, right?
#9
Posted 19 December 2014 - 16:57
Is there in any way, shape or form a reason not to think this has to do with Vettel?
#10
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:05
Gutierrez and Vergne will share testing duties. Gutierrez will pay the bills, Vergne will do the driving.
#11
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:13
I guess De la Rosa and Gené are on their way out, right?
Marc is already out from 2011 ;) But indeed PdlR is following Fernando back to McLaren for sure.
#12
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:16
Gutierrez and Vergne will share testing duties. Gutierrez will pay the bills, Vergne will do the driving.
If only! Alas, if you want a driver's sponsors to pay the bills, they will invariably want their man to do the driving.
#13
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:18
Ferrari sure have a lot of test drivers - Gut, Vergne, Rigon and apparently still Gene if you believe Autosport's article on this. Four drivers! One can be in the simulator constantly.
I wonder how much Vettel's friendship with Vergne helped this move, they seemed to be buddies.
#14
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:27
Ferrari sure have a lot of test drivers - Gut, Vergne, Rigon and apparently still Gene if you believe Autosport's article on this. Four drivers! One can be in the simulator constantly.
I wonder how much Vettel's friendship with Vergne helped this move, they seemed to be buddies.
Indeed, Alonso's buddy De la Rosa out, Vettel's buddy Vergne in. Sounds logical.. Now we just have to wait when De la Rosa reappears at McLaren to join their line-up of testdrivers!
Next year the silly season of test/reserve/3rd drivers will be just as odd as the race drivers silly season of this year..
Edited by kwikmike, 19 December 2014 - 17:32.
#15
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:30
Why is everybody assuming Kimi will be replaced after 2015? Thats not guaranteed.
#16
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:33
Why is everybody assuming Kimi will be replaced after 2015? Thats not guaranteed.
Not guaranteed indeed but quite the possibility. Kimi will have to retire if it goes like last season. But I think Vergne is THE 1st choice to replace Kimi WHEN he retires in the next 2 years. Otherwise it will be someone like Bottas/Hulkenberg
#17
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:36
I dont think Vergne will see Ferrari regular seat. Ill eat my hat. Its Bottas after Kimi and i wouldnt count out possible Alonso return.
#18
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:37
Finally a good move. Might pay off for him in the long run once Raikkonen hangs his gloves.
The guy was very feisty this year, he deserves a shot.
#19
Posted 19 December 2014 - 17:50
Marc is already out from 2011 ;) But indeed PdlR is following Fernando back to McLaren for sure.
Marc out since 2011? I guess he does not know it yet.
This is extracted from his website... I understand nothing...
2014 Second at Le Mans 24 Hours with Audi. Winner at 1000 km Spa (WEC) with JOTA Sport (on a loan from Audi). F1 World Championship with Ferrari as test driver.
http://www.marcgene.com/en/honours
Marc continues to combine his duties as Ferrari test driver with Audi.
http://www.marcgene.com/en/profile
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#20
Posted 19 December 2014 - 18:00
that's not true that Marc is out at Ferrari since 2011, he was still a Ferrari tester this year.
#21
Posted 19 December 2014 - 18:01
I think it is likely that Gutierrez, Vergne together with Fisichella and some others will make up Ferrari's WEC 2015 line-ups. As Gutierrez and Vergne are both recent F1 drivers, it makes sense to use their fresh knowledge in F1 simulator/setup work as well. So I believe those drivers will participate in whatever programme Ferrari needs them next year.
As for Vergne's chances to replace Raikkonen in 2016... We'll see how the silly season plans out, but I'd say it is a bit of a long shot at the moment. I think Ferrari has several drivers ahead of JEV in their driver wish list (including Hamilton, Ricciardo, Bottas) and depending on how these pan out, they may rely on JEV as the last fall-back option. But it is good for Ferrari to have Vergne in their team - clearly one of the best possible substitute drivers on the grid right now, should there be a need to fill a vacancy in mid-season.
#22
Posted 19 December 2014 - 18:09
#23
Posted 19 December 2014 - 18:18
So a guy that toro rosso doesnt consider worthy of driving their car is now the future of ferrari, should i cry or laugh
Well the funny thing is that also Ferrari's young driver programme seems to have failed. Now that they are taking drivers from other junior programmes.
#24
Posted 19 December 2014 - 18:57
So a guy that toro rosso doesnt consider worthy of driving their car is now the future of ferrari, should i cry or laugh
Toro Rosso do not make any decisions, Red Bull decided that a 17 year old Karting star how have not won an AutoRacing championship were a better option longterm than Vergne, in threads with other drivers my contention of 'potential' have been poo-poo'ed so we could presumably do the same for Red Bull, not that I would do it in general they are vastly more experienced in these things than me.
However anyone thinking Vergne is not a F1 talent driver really do not pay attention, he has had 'wildness' to him, but he showed second half of season that he is a decisive and quick racer, possibly the fact he was being or about to be replaced were part of that. Massa was not really seen any differently, and arguably less so when he was done with his Sauber tenure, so the situation have been done before.
I do not (currently) see it very likely that he will take over from Kimi, but I do see it as possibility, I do not see any difference between Vergne and Bottas.
#25
Posted 19 December 2014 - 19:03
So a guy that toro rosso doesnt consider worthy of driving their car is now the future of ferrari, should i cry or laugh
a dislike button should be introduced for posts like this.
#26
Posted 19 December 2014 - 19:08
So a guy that toro rosso doesnt consider worthy of driving their car is now the future of ferrari, should i cry or laugh
You should probably get off your high horse, in case you're still asking.
#27
Posted 19 December 2014 - 19:08
Why is everybody assuming Kimi will be replaced after 2015? Thats not guaranteed.
Kimi will be much much happier this year with the handling of the car next year more than likely. With Vettel's driving style being very similar and James Allison now properly rooted it wouldn't surprise me if Kimi appears in the places we're more familiar with up the front.
#28
Posted 19 December 2014 - 19:16
Kimi will be much much happier this year with the handling of the car next year more than likely. With Vettel's driving style being very similar and James Allison now properly rooted it wouldn't surprise me if Kimi appears in the places we're more familiar with up the front.
It's not really if he can drive, it's whether he wants to. By the end of next season he'll be 36, which really is getting into "thinking about retirement age" for an F1 driver.
#29
Posted 19 December 2014 - 19:43
Disappointing news, JEV has about as much chance of actually racing for Ferrari as Gene did.
#30
Posted 19 December 2014 - 20:04
Too bad he won't be in IndyCar then.
Hopefully this helps him getting a race seat then.
#31
Posted 19 December 2014 - 20:11
Too bad he won't be in IndyCar then.
Hopefully this helps him getting a race seat then.
Pssh, the entire Indycar season takes place during F1's summer shutdown. He wouldn't even have to tell Ferrari he has another job.
Edited by Risil, 19 December 2014 - 20:11.
#32
Posted 19 December 2014 - 20:23
Well the funny thing is that also Ferrari's young driver programme seems to have failed. Now that they are taking drivers from other junior programmes.
Bianchi was about to be a Ferrari driver for 2015 or 2016..
#33
Posted 19 December 2014 - 20:41
I'm glad Vergne is able to keep his foot in F1. It paid off for Hulkenberg and Kobayashi in the past, so hopefully Vergne can get a drive for 2016.
#34
Posted 19 December 2014 - 20:50
So they have Pedro, Marc, Fisichella, Guttierez and Vergne, 5 test drivrs to do what exactly ? One of them will drive in the simulator and the rest ?
#35
Posted 19 December 2014 - 20:55
Bianchi was about to be a Ferrari driver for 2015 or 2016..
No way he'd have been a Ferrari driver in '15. Apparently he was going to be moved to Sauber for next year.
#36
Posted 19 December 2014 - 21:02
I'm glad Vergne is able to keep his foot in F1. It paid off for Hulkenberg and Kobayashi in the past, so hopefully Vergne can get a drive for 2016.
Did it pay off for Kobayashi though? I suppose it did in that he got back into F1, but I'm not sure 2014 is a season he'll be looking back on with any sense of reverence in years to come;
Kobayashi's Grandkids: Grandad, can you tell us again about your 16th place finish in the 2014 German Grand Prix?
Grandad Kobayashi: Oh yes, one of the greatest races of my life that was....
#37
Posted 19 December 2014 - 21:08
My speculation (hope) is that he's being held in reserve for 2016, for a Haas seat. With the technical alliance between Ferrari and Haas I think there's a shot at this. JEV's a great driver, I'd like to see him able to get back into F1.
#38
Posted 19 December 2014 - 21:57
#39
Posted 19 December 2014 - 22:06
Im sure Kimi will sign another longterm contract with Ferrari.
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#40
Posted 19 December 2014 - 22:24
Did it pay off for Kobayashi though? I suppose it did in that he got back into F1, but I'm not sure 2014 is a season he'll be looking back on with any sense of reverence in years to come;
Kobayashi's Grandkids: Grandad, can you tell us again about your 16th place finish in the 2014 German Grand Prix?
Grandad Kobayashi: Oh yes, one of the greatest races of my life that was....
I have to agree racing at the back was probably not the results Kobayashi was expecting but he knew what he was getting himself into by signing for Caterham. He could of played it safe by staying with Ferrari sports car program (in hindsight that was the right thing to do) but you have to give the guy props for risking it all for a drive in F1.
#41
Posted 19 December 2014 - 22:30
I have to agree racing at the back was probably not the results Kobayashi was expecting but he knew what he was getting himself into by signing for Caterham. He could of played it safe by staying with Ferrari sports car program (in hindsight that was the right thing to do) but you have to give the guy props for risking it all for a drive in F1.
True. With 20-20 hindsight he should have stayed at Ferrari, but I guess it's not every day a driver gets to race in F1, even if it is in a junk car. Can't imagine we'll ever see him in F1 again though.
#42
Posted 19 December 2014 - 22:38
True. With 20-20 hindsight he should have stayed at Ferrari, but I guess it's not every day a driver gets to race in F1, even if it is in a junk car. Can't imagine we'll ever see him in F1 again though.
Sadly I have to agree. He was an exciting driver to watch at times but unfortunately the mid field was his limit.
#43
Posted 19 December 2014 - 23:04
Did it pay off for Kobayashi though? I suppose it did in that he got back into F1, but I'm not sure 2014 is a season he'll be looking back on with any sense of reverence in years to come;
Kobayashi's Grandkids: Grandad, can you tell us again about your 16th place finish in the 2014 German Grand Prix?
Grandad Kobayashi: Oh yes, one of the greatest races of my life that was....
He got to drive an F1 car again for another season. That was worth it for him.
When we have these threads where people ask why WEC isn't seen as a legitimate competitor to F1, the fact that Kobayashi and Lotterer were falling over themselves to drive a hopeless car like the Caterham and Jenson Button hung on for grim death for his McLaren seat, we get an understanding of just how much driving these cars - good or bad - means to these drivers. That's why JEV would rather drive a computer than turn his back on F1 completely.
#44
Posted 19 December 2014 - 23:26
Sadly I have to agree. He was an exciting driver to watch at times but unfortunately the mid field was his limit.
One of the things that annoys me about modern F1 is that at one time a driver could make a pretty good career out of racing the the F1 mid-grid (eg, Panis, Brundle, De Cesaris etc), 20 years ago drivers like Vergne and Kobayashi wouldn't have had much of a problem finding a drive, but now the mid-grid is for drivers who are either 'up and coming' youngsters or useless/semi-useless pay drivers.
He got to drive an F1 car again for another season. That was worth it for him.
When we have these threads where people ask why WEC isn't seen as a legitimate competitor to F1, the fact that Kobayashi and Lotterer were falling over themselves to drive a hopeless car like the Caterham and Jenson Button hung on for grim death for his McLaren seat, we get an understanding of just how much driving these cars - good or bad - means to these drivers. That's why JEV would rather drive a computer than turn his back on F1 completely.
Unfortunately sportscars doesn't have the prestige these days that it should, largely because it didn't have a proper world championship for so long. I'm hoping that it'll get there some day though. Having said that, I wouldn't say that Lotterer was falling over himself to drive in F1, he did turn Caterham down twice after all. I think it's more a case of him receiving an offer and him thinking 'what the hell'.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that being a reserve/third/whatever driver is a bad thing, it's understandable that Vergne would want to keep his foot in the door as it were, but I just don't think Ferrari is the best place for it. They don't exactly have a long history of promoting their third drivers to full race seats (Massa is the only one I can think of, and even he had to do a two year apprenticeship at Sauber first). Teams like Williams and Force India have a much better record for promoting test drivers.
#45
Posted 19 December 2014 - 23:55
well de Cesaris was a paydriver off course (Marlboro was his loyal sponsor) but he wasn't useless, at least not in the 2nd half of his carreer and he was quick in the Alfa
#46
Posted 19 December 2014 - 23:56
The Spanish media says de la Rosa will be out at the end of this month... I wonder if I should trust them....
They also say that he's following Alonso to McLaren. Not a surprise at all. They seem to be the perfect F1 couple!
#47
Posted 20 December 2014 - 00:06
I guess De la Rosa and Gené are on their way out, right?
Pedro de la Rosa has already left Ferrari. I'm not sure what Gene is going to do. AutoSport says Vergne will focus on simulator work.
#48
Posted 20 December 2014 - 00:23
One of the things that annoys me about modern F1 is that at one time a driver could make a pretty good career out of racing the the F1 mid-grid (eg, Panis, Brundle, De Cesaris etc), 20 years ago drivers like Vergne and Kobayashi wouldn't have had much of a problem finding a drive, but now the mid-grid is for drivers who are either 'up and coming' youngsters or useless/semi-useless pay drivers.
Unfortunately sportscars doesn't have the prestige these days that it should, largely because it didn't have a proper world championship for so long. I'm hoping that it'll get there some day though. Having said that, I wouldn't say that Lotterer was falling over himself to drive in F1, he did turn Caterham down twice after all. I think it's more a case of him receiving an offer and him thinking 'what the hell'.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that being a reserve/third/whatever driver is a bad thing, it's understandable that Vergne would want to keep his foot in the door as it were, but I just don't think Ferrari is the best place for it. They don't exactly have a long history of promoting their third drivers to full race seats (Massa is the only one I can think of, and even he had to do a two year apprenticeship at Sauber first). Teams like Williams and Force India have a much better record for promoting test drivers.
Ferrari is one of the few teams that will actually pay you to do it. Williams and Force India certainly won't.
#49
Posted 20 December 2014 - 00:25
I think there is a fair chance that Ferrari have signed him essentially to their junior program, with it looking unlikely that Bianchi will ever race again.
Vergne is a great prospect. He certainly gave the new "wunderkind" Ricciardo a run for his money as team mates. The thing is I'm not sure if its likely for him to go from a reserve role straight to a race role.
#50
Posted 20 December 2014 - 00:36
Pedro de la Rosa has already left Ferrari. I'm not sure what Gene is going to do. AutoSport says Vergne will focus on simulator work.
Thanks for the info!