Image courtesy of Scuderia Toro Rosso
Jean-Eric Vergne enjoys the importance of being a test driver with Ferrari and being a helping hand in their quest to return to the top.
Vergne joined the revamped Maranello team in the guise of their third and test driver after being dumped by Toro Rosso for Max Verstappen at the end of last season.
Speaking to Italian publication La Gazetta de Sport, the Frenchman likes the value of being a test driver behind the scenes instead of waiting in the sidelines when attending every race.
“I prefer having the job of working on the simulator and doing something useful, rather than being the reserve.” said the 23-year old.
“Today, the role of a third driver is to be at the track without doing anything special. Not being able to help to the team would be frustrating, so I feel that mine is an important task.
Vergne doesn’t rue being dropped by Toro Rosso and believes being a test driver for a front-running team is a better option over racing at the bottom end of the grid for the now-defunct Caterham or Marussia teams.
“I know I gave my best and that’s why I have no regrets,” Vergne said. “And now I’m at Ferrari which is also a great opportunity for 2016.
“If I was not able to race this year, I think what I have is better than being at Caterham or Marussia and always being last.”
