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2 Kimi Raikkonen
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STR stick with Vergne and Ricciardo

Wednesday 31st October 2012

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STR stick with Vergne and Ricciardo

STR stick with Vergne and Ricciardo

It will be a case of as you were at Toro Rosso next season after the team confirmed Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo.

The duo joined the Faenza squad at the start of the season and have performed admirably in a car that hasn't always lived up to expectation.

Rookie Verge has picked up 12 points this season while his Australian team-mate has four ninth places and a P10 to his name.

"Both drivers have done a good job this season. Daniel joined us with a few grands prix under his belt and so his feedback and experience was particularly useful while Jean-Eric got up to speed, often having to deal with tracks he had never seen before," team boss Franz Tost said.

"Since the summer break, both drivers have scored more points and everyone in the team has been impressed with their maturity in terms of working with the engineers and their race craft on track.

"We will be doing our best in the next few months, to produce a 2013 car which will allow them to demonstrate their talent."

Frenchman Vergne, who impressed during the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Championship when he finished second, feels he has already come a long way since his debut at the start of the year.

"I am really happy about this great news," he said.

"Thank you Toro Rosso and thank you Red Bull, who have backed me since the early days of my career.

"It has been a difficult season and, as a rookie, I have learned a lot, thanks to the support I got and the excellent relationship I have enjoyed with all the guys.

"I feel much stronger now and I know I have become a better driver over the course of the season.

"I really believe in this team and with all the experience I have gained, combined with the team's ambitious plans for next year, I think we can look forward to great things in 2013, attacking all the way."

Ricciardo had a stint with HRT last year before moving to Toro Rosso for the 2012 campaign.

"I am really pumped to know that I am continuing with Scuderia Toro Rosso for another season and want to thank the team and Red Bull," Ricciardo said.

"There are big expectations for next year and I'm ready and willing to fulfil them.

"I feel I have been growing and developing as a driver and my approach to the technical side of the sport has also progressed this year, so I am sure that will serve me well in my second season with Toro Rosso.

"We have had quite a tough season, but despite that, I have always enjoyed a good relationship with all the guys and I am delighted at the idea of working with them for another year."

Team boss Franz Tost added: "Both drivers have done a good job this season. Daniel joined us with a few grands prix under his belt and so his feedback and experience was particularly useful while Jean-Eric got up to speed, often having to deal with tracks he had never seen before.

"Since the summer break, both drivers have scored more points and everyone in the team has been impressed with their maturity in terms of working with the engineers and their race craft on track.

"We will be doing our best in the next few months, to produce a 2013 car which will allow them to demonstrate their talent."

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