Vergne baffled by Toro Rosso decision

Editor

Jean-Eric Vergne believes Toro Rosso’s decision not to retain him could have involved “some politics” as he says it doesn’t make sense.

After three years with Toro Rosso and twice being overlooked for a Red Bull Racing seat, Vergne is out of the team – and perhaps out of Formula 1.

Although he outscored team-mate Daniil Kvyat by 22 points to eight, Red Bull opted not to keep the Frenchman on at Toro Rosso.

Instead the team has signed Formula Renault 3.5 Champion Carlos Sainz Jr as 17-year-old Max Verstappen’s 2015 team-mate.

And it’s a decision that has left Vergne rather confused.

“Nothing has made any sense,” he told Autosport prior to confirmation of his axing.

“Last year I know [the reason I lost out on a Red Bull drive to Ricciardo], this year I guess there is some politics. I don’t know.

“They [Red Bull] always say points matter; they know I was 5kg overweight compared to my team-mate, so I had at least two tenths [disadvantage] that no one knew about in qualifying – they know all the technical issues I had that didn’t allow me to score points.

“I think I’ve made a really strong season compared to last year and I think it’s been really unfortunate that I’ve had so many [technical] problems, because I would have had a lot more points and things would play a different role for me.

“I think I made a massive step forward compared to last year and I feel much better and happier as a driver.

“I have nothing to regret. There are many things I cannot say that never played in my favour, but that is how it is.

“I always try to get stronger every time something comes against me.”