Jean-Eric Vergne

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Vergne became the 2017–18 ABB Formula E Champion, after clinching fifth in the New York ePrix in 2018, and he became the first Formula E driver to win two consecutive championships after his repeat success in the 2018–19 season. He competed in Formula One for Scuderia Toro Rosso from 2012 to 2014, and was a Ferrari test and development driver from 2015 to 2016. He won the British Formula 3 Championship in 2010 and then finished runner up to teammate Robert Wickens in the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season.

In Their Own Story

The first time Vergne sat in a Formula One car was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2010, driving a Red Bull RB5. In September 2010, it was announced he would drive for Toro Rosso in the post-season young driver test at Yas Marina Circuit. On the first day, he set the seventh fastest time, completing 93 laps. On the second day, he finished ninth fastest, just 0.030 seconds behind the Williams of GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado. In August 2011, it was confirmed Vergne would participate in selected first practice sessions for Toro Rosso, beginning at the Korean Grand Prix. He was eleventh fastest during free practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, less than 0.3 seconds off the pace of Jaime Alguersuari. In November 2011, Vergne tested the title-winning Red Bull RB7 at the young driver test in Abu Dhabi, setting the fastest lap time on all three days. On 14 December 2011, it was officially confirmed that Vergne would race for Toro Rosso in 2012 alongside fellow Red Bull Junior Team member Daniel Ricciardo.

Reader's Guide

Vergne started competing in karting at age four. He won the French Formula Renault Campus series in 2007. In 2010, he won the British Formula 3 Championship with Carlin. He finished 8th in the 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 Series despite only contesting the final three events. In 2011, he graduated full-time to Formula Renault 3.5 with Carlin, taking five race victories. Going into the final round in Barcelona, he trailed series leader and teammate Robert Wickens by two points. In the final race, Wickens and Vergne collided on the opening lap, sending Wickens into retirement; Vergne was later taken out by Fairuz Fauzy, handing the title to Wickens by nine points. In Formula One, he drove for Toro Rosso from 2012 to 2014. In November 2011, he tested the Red Bull RB7 at the young driver test in Abu Dhabi, setting the fastest lap time on all three days.

Did You Know?

• Vergne was born on 25 April 1990 in Pontoise, France.
• He started karting at age four at his dad's kart circuit near Paris.
• He won the French Formula Renault Campus series in 2007 with ten podium places from thirteen races.
• In 2010, he won the British Formula 3 Championship with twelve victories from the first 24 races.
• He finished runner-up to teammate Robert Wickens in the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series, losing the title by nine points after a collision on the final lap.