Home | Formula 1 | Frenchman Vergne eyes Abu Dhabi young driver test

Frenchman Vergne eyes Abu Dhabi young driver test

A young French driver is eyeing a clear step into the world of formula one at the end of the 2010 season.

Jean-Eric Vergne, 20, drove a Red Bull car at last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, and is now targeting a place for the end-of-season young driver test in Abu Dhabi.

In 2010, he is part of Red Bull’s Junior Team driver development programme, and clearly leading the British F3 championship with multiple champions Carlin.

When asked by Auto Hebdo if he wants to test in Abu Dhabi after November’s season finale, Vergne answered: “That is clearly the goal.

“If I win the championship, I’ll do the tests later this year.  I don’t know if it will be with Red Bull or Toro Rosso,” he told the French publication.

A similar path was trodden by Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who won last year’s British F3 championship, did the young driver F1 test, and was then appointed an official reserve driver for 2010.

“Yes, the goal is to do that, but not because Ricciardo did it, because I am racing in a championship and want to win it.

“Then, Red Bull lets its best drivers do the (F1) testing.  If I win my championship, I think I’ll top the list,” added Vergne.

© RIF|GMM