Vergne: I could match Webber’s results

Jean-Eric Vergne reckons he would do “no worse” than Mark Webber if Red Bull opted to put him in one of their cars…

Jean-Eric Vergne reckons he would do “no worse” than Mark Webber if Red Bull opted to put him in one of their cars.

The Frenchman impressed during last week’s Young Driver test in Abu Dhabi where he was behind the wheel of Red Bull’s Championship-winning RB7.

Vergne set the pace on all three days and even finished up with a time that was just 4/10ths short of Sebastian Vettel’s pole position lap time around the Yas Marina circuit.

The 21-year-old, who previously stated that he believes the test proves he is ready for Formula One, has now gone one better, saying he could match Webber’s performances if Red Bull put him in the Aussie’s car.

“I did everything I could,” he wrote in his column for Le Nouvel Observateur. “I had three days of testing and no problems.

“So I think if you were to put me in a Red Bull, I would do no worse than Webber. That’s my impression anyway after the test.

“But I know that the road is very long and for now it goes to Brazil. This is my last free practice session with Toro Rosso.

“It’s been a great adventure and a nice way to finish it before I know my plans for next season.”

However, heading to Red Bull Racing as a full-time race driver will not be part of the plan as the team has already confirmed Webber and Sebastian Vettel for next season.

That means Vergne will have to settle for adding his name to the list of those wanting a Toro Rosso driver, which also includes Sebastien Buemi, Jaime Alguersuari and Daniel Ricciardo.