Vergne’s Ferrari role comes to an end
Techeetah’s Jean-Eric Vergne has confirmed his reserve role at Ferrari will not continue into the 2017 Formula 1 season.
The ex-Toro Rosso driver was a Ferrari test driver and officially the team’s reserve driver for the 2016 season, but will now switch his entire focus to the FIA Formula E Championship, with Ferrari announcing Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi as their third driver for the upcoming season.
“It’s only this. It was clear from the beginning that I would not continue as reserve anymore this season,” Vergne informed Autosport.
“I still have a lot of contact with Ferrari and good relationships there but I’m not going to grands prix and filling the role I had.
“It was beneficial, when you’re in a team such as Ferrari it’s always beneficial in some ways. I’m part of that family and it’s an amazing feeling.”
Vergne is however interested in entering Le Mans and joining the World Endurance Championship for some rounds alongside his Formula E commitments and he is looking into joining either the LMP2 class or GTE Pro class.
“We are still working on it and it is really at front of my mind more now,” added Vergne. “I want to do Le Mans and some races in the WEC.
“I’ve got a few options but can’t say anything in detail at the moment.”